Mobile phones and dangerous driving
03-July-2009
*
* Your Gripe Gripe List Quick Gripe Comments Gripe Poll Resources Contact Us Advertise Home *
* << prev
next >> *
 

Mobile phones and dangerous driving

Random Gripe Random Gripe 
Related Gripes Related Gripes 
Feedburner Subscribe to feed 
 
 
 

How many times have you driven to work in the morning and either on a dual carriageway or parked at traffic lights looked at the car next to you; only to be confronted by the sight of some Muppet with a mobile phone glued to his or her ear.
Using a mobile phone and driving
image: size-isnt-everything.co.uk

It is a sight that is now becoming increasingly common as more people than ever before have mobile phones and people drive to work rather than use the pathetic public transportation system (see previous gripes!).  However, a recent study at the Transport Research Laboratory sponsored by insurer Direct Line has provided new evidence that driving and using a mobile phone may be more dangerous than driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

The research showed that on average the reactions of the driver were nearly 50% slower than when driving normally and that even using a hands free kit did not completely eliminate the distraction caused by having a telephone conversation whilst driving.

mobile phone and driving is illegal...

Using a hand held mobile phone and driving is illegal in many countries including the UK and those caught in this country are usually prosecuted for dangerous or careless driving. Some MP’s however believe that it should be treated as a separate offence and are currently trying to push bill through parliament banning the use of hand held mobile phones when driving.

car accidents caused by talking on mobiles
image: size-isnt-everything.co.uk

It is not just the Nokia wielding maniacs that give me cause for concern.  A friend of mine emailed me this morning to tell me about a woman he saw driving at around 100mph in a BMW with her face close to the rear view mirror as she applied her makeup.  Also, the number of times I’ve seen a sales rep sitting in his company car either shaving or reading the paper just never ceases to amaze me.  Why???

Other Related Gripes

Speeding fine by text message
Dangerous motorcyclists risk lives
Orange Mobile customer service
Van insurance company lied
Dangerous things people do when driving
Mobile operators cold calling
Satellite navigation and accidents
Car parking for the selfish
Driving lessons, wrong time and place
Slow drivers are dangerous too
Mobile phone use in public places
Car insurance company useless
Mobile phone ringtones drive me mad
Speeding fines, yet another one!
Insurance companies are nothing but sharks

Visitor Comments

 Please read this before you post

Enter your comments in the space below

Name or nickname


Remember my name



 
this website is so right driving and mobileing SHOULD STOP it casues deaths all other the world
*turtle man  25-Feb-2009 14:59

 
Stories such as that by 'a1' should be more widely publicised so that these selfish stupid individuals can comprehend the gravity of their crime and the potential result.

There are many sound arguments for totally banning the use of cellphones whilst driving, handsfree or otherwise. Even if using a bluetooth device one is distracted from the task at hand.

The law is hard to enforce, but penalties should be draconian and tolerance should be zero. I have seen bus and lorry drivers using handhelds whilst moving, on a motorway in one case. Needless to say when I called the companies concerned (from my driving seat of course ... (joke!)), I was told that 'this is not possible as our drivers are not allowed to use 'phones whilst driving'. So of course they don't!

We've all snuck in a crafty call when stuck (stopped) in traffic, but 'phoning whilst on the move at any speed is a no-no. Unfortunately in many countries the law treats this with less severity than failing to wear a seat belt or failing to display the right bit of paper on the windscreen.
<i>h</i>
*MikeP  14-Nov-2008 16:54

 
Not even a year ago I saw a young woman run over and killed on a zebra crossing by another young woman who was talking on her phone to her boyfriend. It was something so terrible to see even now I can not even talk about it today - not even to my girlfriend.

Soon I will have to attend court as a witness and face this the woman who did this. I'll also see the family who lost there beautiful young daughter. I don't know how I am get through it, sometimes there's no winners I suppose.

These two girls didn't deserve this, or there families, my heart goes out to them, especially the poor girl's family that lost there most precious daughter. There is not a day that goes by when I don't think about it and when I see someone on there phone while driving (which I do all the time) I think 'you idiot - is it really worth it'. You never know until It happens to you or one of your love ones. Please think before you drive and use a mobile phone.
*a1  14-Nov-2008 16:33

 
Oh do grow up you stupid little people, I'm a CEO and if I want to use my mobile whilst driving my big posh 4x4 nobody but NOBODY is going to stop me. For one, you cannot see me through my limo black, smoked out windows, and two, I'll sack the lot of you if you give me any back-chat, I'm very rich don't you know and can do what I like, so there. Just get on with your pathetic little lives.
*Richerthanyow  08-Nov-2008 10:06

 
I witnessed a very stupid individual talking on her phone on the motorway yesterday. For a start, driving at 80 in a car that is over 15 years old is pure stupidity anyway. Talking on your phone (not handsfree) whilst doing so deserves an instant ban! I pulled alongside her and got her attention with a sustained blast of my horn, then signalled her to put her phone down. You should've seen the look on her face! She put the phone down straight away though!
*Ben  09-Sep-2008 14:42

 
Its all well and good sat behind your computer arguing the point of mobile phone's and how wrong it is using them whilst in transit. But consider the amount of times you yourself have lit the odd fag or unwrapped a chocky bar, all of which are equally as dangerous and limit the number of hands required to drive your car safely. As much as I do not condone any of these actions, my argument is dont be so quick to judge others when we are all guilty of a non-sensical acts which we get away with daily
*Obviously me  15-Jul-2008 20:24

 
Just a thought!...take an unmarked car (or more if you prefer), put a jobsworth traffic warden in it and give them the freedom of the streets to spot and fine anybody on a mobile phone whilst driving. Imagine the income!
*Bryster  11-Jul-2008 22:57

 
I Think Driving A Car When Driving Is Very Dangerous And Very Very Very Stupid
*SHANE SANDERSON  02-Jul-2008 11:22

 
On Friday 13th June on the A40 between Symonds Yacht and Monmouth there was a major accident with slow moving traffic southbound.

The following vehicles drivers were using hand held mobile phones while driving at approximately 19:00 hours and it was evident from their driving.

X618NBW – AUDI A6 2.5 TDI
DN07FCJ – VAUXHALL VECTRA EXCLUSIV CDTI
*The Ferryman  22-Jun-2008 15:27

 
I think your right because we should do more about mobile phone saftey
*wayfall  20-Jun-2008 10:32

 
Which schools did you not go to when you were a children?
*Mark  12-Jun-2008 09:43

 
mobile phones are very dangouse and they cause big acidents and kill people. then again mobile phones are good for certenresons
*rude gal  12-Jun-2008 09:06


View more comments on this gripe


  
*   *
* © 2000-2009 The Weekly Gripe. All rights reserved. Please see our privacy policy and disclaimer.   Site Map *