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"Drivers caught on mobiles to face €1,000 fine"

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Comments

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    #62
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,635 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    djimi wrote: »
    I agree with this in theory, but banning the use of all phones, even when cradled, is ridiculously over the top. I use my phone in a cradle as my radio nowadays; can I now not change station while driving? There is absolutely no difference between this and someone using a touch screen control panel that is built into their car (or even a bog standard car radio for example).

    Once again this country gets the idea right but makes a total arse of how it is implemented.

    Not that it matters; Gardai dont enforce the laws that we have, so I really dont see them bothering much with this one either.

    You can't come on here and start talking sense like that!
    Don't you know that you can't argue against hysteria. Babies will die! Someone please think of the children!


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    #63
    catallus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭catallus


    Actually in-car cams should be compulsory and they should all be uploading to a public server where anyone can watch everyone. If you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear.


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    #64
    LiamoSail
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,294 ✭✭✭LiamoSail


    Alun wrote: »
    I believe they were performed at one of the big automotive safety testing centres in the UK. They put you in a simulator and can track stuff like eye movements while they put you through various tasks and can also assess your reaction times to hazards etc, so quantitative.

    As far as I can tell the idea is that if you're speaking to an inanimate voice you tend to kind of withdraw into yourself and don't pay as much attention to the road as when you're holding a conversation with a real person.

    Perhaps there is merit in it, I'd be foolish to disregard the findings of a study I know little about.

    Assuming the findings to be true, I'd question to what degree of distraction is allowed? If talking on a phone is too much, what about having a crying baby in the back p, or why is the level of distraction caused by conversation or radio acceptable?

    I just think for the problems with driving in this country that talking on the phone shouldn't be a priority, and that the motivation for this law stems from the potential yield of such.


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    #65
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,635 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    catallus wrote: »
    Actually in-car cams should be compulsory and they should all be uploading to a public server where anyone can watch everyone. If you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear.

    How about total surveillance. And everyone gets to watch everyone, with an automatic "call the gards" button. I get to review your footage but you don't get to see mine, that goes to someone else. This will be done with fly-sized drones that buzz around your head 24/7. There will also be a gard looking at the live stream.
    If we all live blameless lives, we have nothing to fear.


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    #66
    daRobot
    Registered Users Posts: 2,380 ✭✭✭daRobot


    While I think we can all agree that texting when driving, is an extremely dangerous thing, there becomes a stage when the law begins to look like an ass.

    I have a touch screen system in my car, for gps, aircon, radio etc. It seems that playing with this to my hearts content while driving, is perfectly ok, legally speaking. You would really want to get a proper arse of a Guard, and judge for that matter, to be hit with a 'driving without due care' charge for using your factory screen.

    But hitting in new gps location into a mounted smart phone, which essentially is the exact same thing, is potentially punishable by a possible 3 month prison sentence for a second offence?

    There should be a level of consistency in the law, but as it stands, it's quite the opposite.


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    #67
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,635 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    The following should also be banned:
    Fiddling with the heater and blower, taking your hands off the wheel under any circumstances, including changing gear, looking at the dash, fiddling with the radio, talking to passengers, opening or closing windows, scratching, sneezing, yawning, etc...


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    #68
    ironclaw
    Registered Users Posts: 8,004 ✭✭✭ironclaw


    ted1 wrote: »
    The new iOS has specific features for use in cars and all the new integration will be in top level cars this year. It won't take too long to trickle down. You will see it being more and more usefull and functional.

    What was your thesis on?

    My Thesis was a M.Eng covering Active Noise Control with smart phone integration. Not strictly part of the thesis but something I did on the side whilst testing because cars give great noise scenarios. I agree iOS etc is becoming car integrated but we're looking at 5+ years before that comes down to the average family hatch back. And given that I've seen 131 high end saloons with drivers on the phone in their ear, I'm not sure many people will have the up take.

    Can someone also explain to me how using a GPS is any safer than using a phone based GPS? I've seen people plonk them smack in the middle of their windscreens which in itself is ridiculous. Texting, Calling and information exchange while driving, I have no issue with a €1000 fine but a blanket ban is unworkable. There are too many legitimate scenarios for potential wrongful punishment.


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    #69
    AugustusMinimus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,541 ✭✭✭AugustusMinimus


    Its gas how its not dangerous when a Garda is using a mobile. Every 2nd Garda car I drive against seem to have the driver on a mobile.


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    #70
    AugustusMinimus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,541 ✭✭✭AugustusMinimus


    catallus wrote: »
    Surely there could be some sort of built in app in all phones which can detect if it is moving over let's say 30 kmph and shuts off all the interface. Problem solved :)

    And if you want to use your phone on a bus or train ?


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    #71
    Renegade Mechanic
    Registered Users Posts: 7,934 ✭✭✭Renegade Mechanic


    AugustusMinimus wrote: »
    And if you want to use your phone on a bus or train ?

    You just use "public transport mode" and it cancells the- wait.....


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    #72
    jack presley
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,687 ✭✭✭✭jack presley


    Has the actual text come out yet or are we basing all the assumptions in the RTE/Irish Times stories?


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    #73
    ted1
    Registered Users Posts: 23,260 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    catallus wrote: »
    Actually in-car cams should be compulsory and they should all be uploading to a public server where anyone can watch everyone. If you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear.

    Stop your trolling.


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    #74
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,635 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    Let's just take this to its logical conclusion.
    We all can agree that driving with your eyes closed is extremely hazardous.
    Therefore there will be massive fines and bans handed out to anyone caught doing so.
    The above can be backed up with scientific studies. Have a guy drive a car round an obstacle course with his eyes open, then closed.
    Then nab everyone for sneezing and blinking.
    That's the level this legislation is at. Pure vote garnering and pandering to hysteria. And judging by the arm waving and knicker wetting I have seen about this, its working a charm.
    Leo is a politician and as such doesn't care if you're dying in a ditch, as long as you vote for him. This for no-ones benefit, except the government.


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    #75
    AugustusMinimus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,541 ✭✭✭AugustusMinimus


    Varadkar is coming across as the worst Minister for Transport I can remember. Completely Dublin centric on transport infrastructure developments. All the rest of the country seems to get is harder speed enforcement (average speed cameras on motorways anyone) and waffle.


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    #76
    tayto lover
    Registered Users Posts: 51,485 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    AugustusMinimus wrote: »
    Its gas how its not dangerous when a Garda is using a mobile. Every 2nd Garda car I drive against seem to have the driver on a mobile.

    I read on another thread that the garda and other emergency drivers are exempt.
    Apparently they train for this.


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    #77
    JillyQ
    Registered Users Posts: 2,382 ✭✭✭JillyQ


    ZENER wrote: »
    The news bulletins are saying that even hands free use of a phone is forbidden !? Is this true ?

    Ken

    I'd like to know that as well also what about sat navs on your phones?


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    #78
    Windy Miller
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭Windy Miller


    I have to agree with ironclaw and others that even handsfree use is a major distraction from the road.

    When I had handsfree fitted, I often took calls and after hanging up found myself on the other side of town, having passed through roundabouts, lights etc - wondering how the hell did I get here? That scares me. Maybe others have a better capacity than me to conduct abstract activites while driving, but that doesn't appear to be what the peer review, scientifically conducted tests have shown.

    For that reason I no longer take calls when i am driving, if the phone rings I'll pull over at the earliest opportunity to check it out and reply if necessary.


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    #79
    _Kaiser_
    Registered Users Posts: 28,664 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    I don't expect this to make any change to current behavior whatsoever considering our Keystone Cops brigade have little interest in enforcing anything motor-related expect "speeding" on motorways/motorway-grade roads

    As for the nonsense that they are somehow immune to the same effects that this is supposed to prevent because they're on duty... most of them can barely drive as it is from what I see every week, phone or no phone.

    The usual muppetry in this country - take an idea and give it an Irish twist that completely screws up the intention of the idea in the first place, but hey it looks like we did something, right?


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    #80
    AugustusMinimus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,541 ✭✭✭AugustusMinimus


    tayto lover wrote: »
    I read on another thread that the garda and other emergency drivers are exempt.
    Apparently they train for this.

    Excempt, yes. Are they still human with a much higher risk of having a crash if on a mobile ? Of course they are.

    I've no doubt though that the Gardaí will try to tell you that special training will allow them to drive safely while holding a phone to their ear. What a load of nonsense.


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    #81
    _Kaiser_
    Registered Users Posts: 28,664 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    Windy Miller wrote: »
    I have to agree with ironclaw and others that even handsfree use is a major distraction from the road.

    When I had handsfree fitted, I often took calls and after hanging up found myself on the other side of town, having passed through roundabouts, lights etc - wondering how the hell did I get here? That scares me. Maybe others have a better capacity than me to conduct abstract activites while driving, but that doesn't appear to be what the peer review, scientifically conducted tests have shown.

    For that reason I no longer take calls when i am driving, if the phone rings I'll pull over at the earliest opportunity to check it out and reply if necessary.

    No offence but maybe that's just you.

    I regularly take and make calls on the phone in the car but my attention is still on the road and I'll often just drift off mid-sentence as something around me catches my attention.. regular callers will know this for what it is and shut up for a minute.

    Of course this is very different to holding and squinting at a small screen and trying to operate a touchscreen phone in a moving car. That I have no objection to being tackled.


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    #82
    AugustusMinimus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,541 ✭✭✭AugustusMinimus


    Windy Miller wrote: »
    I have to agree with ironclaw and others that even handsfree use is a major distraction from the road.

    When I had handsfree fitted, I often took calls and after hanging up found myself on the other side of town, having passed through roundabouts, lights etc - wondering how the hell did I get here? That scares me. Maybe others have a better capacity than me to conduct abstract activites while driving, but that doesn't appear to be what the peer review, scientifically conducted tests have shown.

    For that reason I no longer take calls when i am driving, if the phone rings I'll pull over at the earliest opportunity to check it out and reply if necessary.

    That happens to a lot of people when driving and it doesn't take a phone call for it to happen either. I've often started to think about something and the subconscious part of my brain takes over the driving.

    You're then staggered that you can't remember the past few minutes of driving.


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    #83
    pred racer
    Registered Users Posts: 4,385 ✭✭✭pred racer


    As usual, enforce the laws we already have with a modicum of common sense, no need for anything new!

    Oh yeah......and Leo veradkar is a complete bell end!


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    #84
    kirving
    Registered Users Posts: 5,888 ✭✭✭kirving


    I'd wager that the use of GPS in cars (even searching for a destination), actually leads to safer driving. GPS gives drivers far more time to get in lane by giving an advanced warning of the next exit, what lane to keep in, etc. and so reduces dangerous manoeuvres people seem to pull when they realise that they're in the wrong road position. Most also remind drivers of speed limits, and the latest ones even give a picture of the road layout ahead so that the driver can be prepared.


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    #85
    Shiraz 4.99
    Site Banned Posts: 824 ✭✭✭Shiraz 4.99


    Without any extra enforcement this is just lip service.


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    #86
    Shiraz 4.99
    Site Banned Posts: 824 ✭✭✭Shiraz 4.99


    Without any extra enforcement this is just lip service.


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    #87
    CiniO
    Registered Users Posts: 16,088 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    tippman1 wrote: »
    About time too:

    http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/drivers-caught-on-mobiles-to-face-1-000-fine-1.1759612

    Madness.

    Penalties should be adequate to severity of the offence.

    We have 80 quid and 2 penalty points for speeding, no matter how much above the limit.
    We have €200 fine and 3 penalty points for drink driving.
    No penalties for many other dangerous offences.

    But they want to fine €1000 for using a mobile when driving.

    This is not adequate fine compared to danger it brings.


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    #88
    tayto lover
    Registered Users Posts: 51,485 ✭✭✭✭tayto lover


    AugustusMinimus wrote: »
    Excempt, yes. Are they still human with a much higher risk of having a crash if on a mobile ? Of course they are.

    I've no doubt though that the Gardaí will try to tell you that special training will allow them to drive safely while holding a phone to their ear. What a load of nonsense.

    If I had an emergency I'd prefer if he answered the call though.


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    #89
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,635 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    CiniO wrote: »
    Madness.

    Penalties should be adequate to severity of the offence.

    We have 80 quid and 2 penalty points for speeding, no matter how much above the limit.
    We have €200 fine and 3 penalty points for drink driving.
    No penalties for many other dangerous offences.

    But they want to fine €1000 for using a mobile when driving.

    This is not adequate fine compared to danger it brings.

    Say your NCT is out by two days and you just have pressed something on you screen to get back to the Sat Nav.
    That's a €1000 fine and 5 points.
    Someone drives at 200 km/h the wrong way down the motorway?
    Slap on the wrist with 2 points and an €80 fine.
    Just as long as you don't look at your phone whilst doing that, she'll be the finesht.

    It just proves that a lot of us have barely evolved from monkeys. As long as the headmonkey jumps up and down, screeches, thumps his chest and swings his club, we all screech along in complete hysteria. And it doesn't matter a jot what the headmonkey is screaming. Those of us who say "hang on a moment..." just get trampled in the stampede.
    Politics is like training seals. Just throw them a few fish heads and watch them slap their fins together.


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    #90
    bigboss1986
    Registered Users Posts: 798 ✭✭✭bigboss1986


    Look what Polish lad did Cookie VS Police:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b31lg6DTgJw
    Well feckin done :D:D


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    #91
    djimi
    Registered Users Posts: 13,238 ✭✭✭✭djimi


    CiniO wrote: »
    Madness.

    Penalties should be adequate to severity of the offence.

    We have 80 quid and 2 penalty points for speeding, no matter how much above the limit.
    We have €200 fine and 3 penalty points for drink driving.
    No penalties for many other dangerous offences.

    But they want to fine €1000 for using a mobile when driving.

    This is not adequate fine compared to danger it brings.

    Varadkar doesnt seem to think a lot of stuff out too thoroughly. I get the distinct impression that he feels that he just needs to be seen doing things.

    There is no way on earth that anyone will be getting a €1000 fine for a first offense for using their phone.


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