Please, please, don't use your mobile phone while driving!

itsdavedotnet

itsdavedotnet

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Not after sympathy in this post, but rather awareness...

Today the lorry driver who caused the accident that I lost my mum in was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment, after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Earlier in the same journey, he had been texting while speeding, in his 12 tonne HGV. He also had a previous conviction for using his phone in that same lorry, just two months previously.

When he came upon a queue of slowed traffic, despite ample view and tens of seconds visibility of break lights ahead, he did not even touch his brake pedal to disengage the cruise control, and indeed only slowed upon impact with my parent's car, and 4 subsequent cars. It was a miracle that no-one else was killed. It is our strong suspicion that he was texting at the time of the incident, however police forensics were unable to prove it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14807690


There aren't any winners in this case, only losers, I wouldn't want either side of this sad story to happen to anyone else, so please, please, pay attention to the road and don't use your mobile while driving!



One other thing, if you're not already, please consider joining the organ donor register, so that should the worst happen to you, someone can live on. You don't need them when you're gone ;) http://www.uktransplant.org.uk
 
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One thing I despise is people who drive and talk or text on the phone.
If it is that important then just pull over when possible.

What really grinds my gears are the people who text with the phone in their lap.
Do they really think that because no one can see their phone its ok, we can all see your head keep looking down as you type! :cuckoo:

I have never used my phone ever when driving.
 
And the same to those who smoke at the wheel, drink bottles of drink, eat McDonalds and do their make up....

How many of us do some of those? Quite alot I'd say. All just as dangerous as texting/using a phone.
 
Agree, we lost my niece to some stupid woman texting while driving.
 
Sad to hear of your loss, especially to a thoughtless driver - sadly I see more and more people using their phones whilst driving ... the message hasn't got through :(
 
The only way to stop any crime is to have a severe penalty as a result of doing it. In this case the driver got 6 years which will probably be reduced to 3-3 1/2 years with good behaviour.

Not much when you consider the pain and hurt that he has caused.

It is about time that the justice system sorted itself out and come down hard on these crimes. What he did was paramount to firing a gun in to a crowded room wearing a blindfold.

For the record i have txt while driving in the past and stopped after scaring the big jeepers out of me one night. Never again.
 
Really sorry to hear about this Dave. No outcome is gonna make things any better for you, and I agree that it's time severe penalties were imposed for anyone using a mobile while driving. I despise those clowns that do.
I've always hoped there would be a 'shoppa user' where the police would give rewards to anyone furnishing photo proof of these idiots in action.
Most are so arrogantly proud of their ability to drive and phone, but knowing they could be snapped and the users would plummet.
 
+1

Very sad but very good post.
 
mercedes said:
Really sorry to hear about this Dave. No outcome is gonna make things any better for you, and I agree that it's time severe penalties were imposed for anyone using a mobile while driving. I despise those clowns that do.
I've always hoped there would be a 'shoppa user' where the police would give rewards to anyone furnishing photo proof of these idiots in action.
Most are so arrogantly proud of their ability to drive and phone, but knowing they could be snapped and the users would plummet.
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Not really a good idea! ...Sadly, the same idiots would then use the phones to take the pictures.... whilst driving.
 
Nothing is that important that you can't wait to get in a safe place (ie out of vehicle) to look at your phone. How did people manage before mobiles?

Sorry for your loss Dave and glad some justice has been done
 
Splog said:
Not really a good idea! ...Sadly, the same idiots would then use the phones to take the pictures.... whilst driving.
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If that was the case they'd then have the photo evidence to book . . . both of them :D
 
mercedes said:
Really sorry to hear about this Dave. No outcome is gonna make things any better for you, and I agree that it's time severe penalties were imposed for anyone using a mobile while driving. I despise those clowns that do.
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And perhaps severe penalties for the other party as well. I don't know how it is now, but back when I was working in England you were expected to answer work calls and respond to work texts regardless, and if you didn't you could expect some serious crap from your manager later.

It's probably unworkable, but if it could be proven that the person the driver is talking to is aware of the fact that he/she is driving, then they should also face a similar penalty.

My solution these days is that I've given up driving. Mainly because I hate the fact that everything is the wrong way round over here.
 
This is the thing that makes my blood boil the most.
 
Very sorry to hear of your loss and agree with a lot of the comments here.

I think that there should be no time off a sentence for good behaviour. We have all seen examples of sentences that appear too lenient or too severe, but sentences are given by a judge using his/her experience and knowledge of the circumstances of a crime to decide the penalty. Why should anyone else be able to alter that sentence? If you behave well then you get out at the end of the sentence, if you behave badly then the sentence is extended.

I also think all cars should have front and back pointing video cameras. They could be set to record for a given period, then erase the recording and start again. The recording could be used in the investigations of accidents but also they could be submitted to the police to show drives using mobiles.

New cars should have them fitted when they are made, older cars have kits to fit them. If they were voluntary then perhaps an insurance reduction as an incentive. Alternatively, they could be compulsory.

I realise there would be a lot of things to sort out to make it workable, but I reckon it is worth considering.

Dave
 
The daftest thing about this whole episode is that blue tooth headsets are so cheap now, so there really should be no excuse, especially when driving a larger type vehicle.
 
fracster said:
The daftest thing about this whole episode is that blue tooth headsets are so cheap now, so there really should be no excuse, especially when driving a larger type vehicle.
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I'm against the use hands free in a moving vehicle as well. Studies have shown exactly what I experienced when I used hands free setup, in that your attention is very much diverted from the road simply by having a conversation while driving.
 
Tringa said:
I also think all cars should have front and back pointing video cameras. They could be set to record for a given period, then erase the recording and start again. The recording could be used in the investigations of accidents but also they could be submitted to the police to show drives using mobiles.

New cars should have them fitted when they are made, older cars have kits to fit them. If they were voluntary then perhaps an insurance reduction as an incentive. Alternatively, they could be compulsory.

I realise there would be a lot of things to sort out to make it workable, but I reckon it is worth considering.

Dave
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A dash or windscreen mounted video camera can be bought for as little as £15-20 and the picture quality is very good. They take SD memory cards and can record from the idnition is switched on and have plenty of memory for recording before they rewrite.
As far as people using phones whilst driving, even those who pull over to use the phone can be just as irresponsible as those who use them whilst driving.
When I leave the M25 onto the A127 (dual carriageway 70mph limit), there is a 100 meter or so stretch before a decceleration slip road that I need to take for a left turn on to a 30mph road. I've lost count of the number of cars I've followed onto that slip road who pull up sharp before the turning, just so they can stop and use their phones, or find cars already parked in the middle of the lane thus forcing me to dangerously slow for a tight left hand bend in a stream of 70mph traffic because some idiot uses a slip road as a lay-by. They do exactly the same on the acceleration slip road on the other side of the turning, cars come round the blind corner expecting to be able to start accelerating on the slip road only to be confronted by some idiot on their phone parked in the middle of the lane forcing them to brake and then wait for a gap big enough in the traffic for them to pull out and accelerate to an adequate speed.
My phone which is seldom used anyway, is switched off when driving, and what ever passengers that go in my car soon realise it ain't worth having a conversation with me when I'm driving because you'll get a one word answer or at best a grunt of acknowledgement. There's too many muppets on the road that you have to second guess their intentions in advance or watch out for in your surroundings, to be able to hold a conversation at the same time.
 
I'm very sorry for your loss. It must be even worse for you, knowing thta the other driver had a history of behaving in this way.
Slaphead said:
I'm against the use hands free in a moving vehicle as well. Studies have shown exactly what I experienced when I used hands free setup, in that your attention is very much diverted from the road simply by having a conversation while driving.
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I agree, I don't feel that hands free really makes it any safer, because it's only possible to do one thing well at a time - either talking or driving. What seems to me to be crazy and irresponsible is that the police (and anyone else using a 2 way radio) is exempt from the rules that cover mobile phones.
 
Sorry for your loss mate. I know what it is like to lose a parent (Both gone now) but very hard when it could have been avoided.

This thread brings home the danger of phone use while driving. I am guilty for that and hope that after seeing this thread it will alert myself and others about the dangers it can cause and the sadness it leaves behind.
 
Slaphead said:
I'm against the use hands free in a moving vehicle as well. Studies have shown exactly what I experienced when I used hands free setup, in that your attention is very much diverted from the road simply by having a conversation while driving.
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Garry Edwards said:
I agree, I don't feel that hands free really makes it any safer, because it's only possible to do one thing well at a time - either talking or driving. What seems to me to be crazy and irresponsible is that the police (and anyone else using a 2 way radio) is exempt from the rules that cover mobile phones.
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Whilst I see your points, its no different than talking to your passengers on a journey. In fact its probably safer, as when talking to someone in the car, you tend to look at them and not the road.

How many people can honestly say, they dont say an entire word to a passenger in thier car over a long journey?


In regards to eating whilst driving, I'd argue I actually concentrate on the road more when Im eating and driving, as I know that Im concentrating on eating, so I purrposely take mroe car and pay more attention to the road if that makes sense. Whereas when Im on a 200 mile run down the motorway with no distractions, its very easy to drift off into your own world. Many times Ive suddenly just snapped to and noticed that Ive been driving for a short period and have no recollection of it at all.
When Im eating/drinking/listening to music. Im alert and aware to everything going on all the time.


I do not ever use my mobile though, apart from handsfree, and I always tell the person Im driving so make it quick. Even when it was illegal I still never handheld the phone.
 
Tringa said:
I think that there should be no time off a sentence for good behaviour. We have all seen examples of sentences that appear too lenient or too severe, but sentences are given by a judge using his/her experience and knowledge of the circumstances of a crime to decide the penalty. Why should anyone else be able to alter that sentence? If you behave well then you get out at the end of the sentence, if you behave badly then the sentence is extended.
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Judges know that early release on licence is possible for those not classified as dangerous offenders and take this into account when sentencing.

"Time off for good behaviour" (or "remission") has not existed in the UK since either 1991 or 2003, depending on who you ask.
 
TCR4x4 said:
Whilst I see your points, its no different than talking to your passengers on a journey. In fact its probably safer, as when talking to someone in the car, you tend to look at them and not the road.

How many people can honestly say, they dont say an entire word to a passenger in thier car over a long journey?


In regards to eating whilst driving, I'd argue I actually concentrate on the road more when Im eating and driving, as I know that Im concentrating on eating, so I purrposely take mroe car and pay more attention to the road if that makes sense. Whereas when Im on a 200 mile run down the motorway with no distractions, its very easy to drift off into your own world. Many times Ive suddenly just snapped to and noticed that Ive been driving for a short period and have no recollection of it at all.
When Im eating/drinking/listening to music. Im alert and aware to everything going on all the time.


I do not ever use my mobile though, apart from handsfree, and I always tell the person Im driving so make it quick. Even when it was illegal I still never handheld the phone.
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Trouble is, when you have a conversation with a passenger in the car they can see what the road conditions are and can stop talking if you need to concentrate. Someone on the end of the phone can't unless you tell them.

Hands free or not, I don't agree with using your mobile when driving. I am big enough to admit I have done so but I am trying to avoid it as it just is not worth it.
 
Very sorry for your loss in such awful circumstances.

I have a totally hands free system built in to my car and I even feel guilty using that on the odd occasion I do.
I get so angry when I see people texting or talking on their phones when driving. Very often make a gesture to them to 'get off your phone'.....makes you wonder what we did before mobiles! No phone call is that important.
 
If you are found to be using a mobile device at the time of an accident this will be used very much against you, HANDS FREE or otherwise. It might make the difference between driving without due care and attention and dangerous driving but whichever, the book will be thrown in your direction.
My advice is turn the thing OFF - then there is no temptation! :rules:

A lady driver who ploughed into a cyclist recently was done for receiving a text shortly before the accident - the basis of the argument against her was she was still contemplating the context and the imapct of the message which distracted her from the duty of care needed whilst in control of a lethal weapon - or driving to give it its more common term.
 
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photon said:
Post of the year :thumbs:
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Sure is - what a tragedy. Beyond words.

Damned truth of the matter is that if it wasn't using a phone it would be something else with people like that driver. Bad attitude - simply don't care enough to put adequate effort into driving safely.
 
Very sorry to hear about your loss. Hopefully remembering reading this post, and the BBC post, will stop people in the future.
 
sympathy for your loss.
Its such a common occurrence which i see so often.
Unfotunately the clever, selfish so and so's only see it as a problem when its far to late.
 
photon said:
Post of the year :thumbs:
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:plusone:

So sorry to hear about your tragic loss mate. Brought a tear to my eye :'(

When are people going to realize.......??????
I drive 50 motorway miles to work, most days, and I see some terrifying stuff.
Folk just don't get it, that speed kills, wet/snow/foggy conditions are killers.
FFS - SLOW DOWN.

I see people texting and talking on their phones while doing 70+MPH.
C'mon guys, wise up a bit.
 
Garry Edwards said:
I'm very sorry for your loss. It must be even worse for you, knowing thta the other driver had a history of behaving in this way.

I agree, I don't feel that hands free really makes it any safer, because it's only possible to do one thing well at a time - either talking or driving. What seems to me to be crazy and irresponsible is that the police (and anyone else using a 2 way radio) is exempt from the rules that cover mobile phones.
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I think Top Gear sends out the wrong message about this - how often d'you see the 3 of them using walktalkies on a road trip. That, to me sends out the wrong message to drivers.
 
The M5 incident tonight caused me to re-read this thread.... thanks everyone for your good wishes, and my initial point still stands. Tonight's incident has once again proved that motor vehicles are lethal weapons, treat them with respect.
 
Nothing infuriates me more when I see people using their phones whilst driving. Almost as if the two are part of the same routine and that by being in charge of a motor vehicle texting/facebook/calling someone is just like changing gear. I have often stopped my car if in front of one of these people and not moved until I have made them understand their phone use must stop.

I am very sorry for your loss too, the 6 years isn't justice for the situation.
 
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