Do you ever use your mobile whilst driving?

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

Survey suggests that 10% of us do:

One in ten break mobile phone traffic law

One in ten Irish drivers continues to break the law, by using their mobile phone while driving.

Easytrip monitored more than 1000 cars during peak commuting times, and found that more than 10% used their mobiles.

Of that ten percent, more than half (53%) were texting or checking their phones while driving or stationary at the lights, and just under half (48%) were speaking on their phones.

Men were almost twice as likely to use their phones (63% compared to 37%), and men were more likely to be talking, than women, who were more likely to be texting.

The survey also showed a significant number of truck and van drivers, mostly male, were talking on a hand-held phone while driving.

Using a mobile phone to type while driving carries a mandatory court appearance, while holding a mobile phone while driving will result in three penalty points - or five on conviction.

In a separate survey carried out by uSwitch, it was found ease of use and battery life are more important to users than things like 3D graphics, fingerprint ID and curved screens.

More than half of people reported never using their phone's voice-control software.

I have never, and would never, take a call when I'm driving but have to admit to checking texts at lights and replying the odd time also. Have used and still access my Sat Nav at lights also.

How about yourselves?

AnonoBoy

The fact that you used the word 'whilst' in the thread title deserves a cracking first reply.

I however am not the poster to supply that reply.

Sorry.

You deserved better.






But to answer your question - no, I don't use my car while mobiling.

jimgoose

Yes. I have a car-kit. Poll needs car-kit option!

vicwatson

Checking texts and replying is an offence op. The offence is holding the phone in your hand no matter what you are doing with it.

arybvtcw0eolkf

No, I ride a motorbike.

Trebor176

I tend to see more cars pulled over, while drivers make calls, rather than motorists using them while driving. The latter does still happen a good bit, however. For example, a woman passed me on the M50 southbound on ramp from the Red Cow one day last week, doing a good speed, while chatting away on her mobile. Somehow, she managed to signal while changing lanes (inside, to middle, to outside, back to middle, back to inside. . .) while controlling the steering, and chatting on the phone. It's true that women can multitask. . .

I hate peoples' "I don't give a toss" attitude towards certain things, such as being on a mobile while driving, knowing bloody well that it is illegal, and does indeed carry a fine and/or penalty points. This is how accidents occur. It can be so easy to be distracted while on the phone. I'd love to have seen how quickly the above driver would have reacted had someone suddenly braked in front, or cut in front of her.

auldgranny

It is againts the law. Of corsue nodoby would do thst.








Sorry for spellling miztakes. Hard too swipe and dirve.

Nib

Flynn Tinkling Spaciousness wrote: »

No, I ride a motorbike.

Badass.

NotASheeple

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller wrote: »

Survey suggests that 10% of us do:

I'd say it's possibly even higher that that.

Avada

I have checked my phone whilst stopped in traffic, dont see a major problem with it. Thats just my opinion though

mikeyjames9

auldgranny wrote: »

It is againts the law. Of corsue nodoby would do thst.








Sorry for spellling miztakes. Hard too swipe and dirve.

that's so wrong!


















"Sent from my car using Tapatalk"

RayM

I'm guilty of checking texts or missed calls when I'm stopped at traffic lights. No real harm. I don't touch the phone while driving though.

Ok, I'll be the first to own up to talking on phone whilst driving. Use loudspeaker and my eyes are on the road. Wouldn't text as I wouldn't be looking where I should be looking.

If a car slammed on the brakes in front of me? Wouldn't think of the phone tbh, i'd be in emergency stop mode.

The Th!ng

A quick glance at the speedometer tells me I'm currently doing over 143 KPH, and heading north-bound in the south-bound lane.

auldgranny

The Th!ng wrote: »

A quick glance at the speedometer tells me I'm currently doing over 143 KPH, and heading north-bound in the south-bound lane.

Kamikaze

PizzamanIRL

I was playing 'Draw Something 2' today behind the wheel. I'm a stupid bastard.

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

Flynn Tinkling Spaciousness wrote: »

No, I ride a motorbike.

That's no excuse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE3XsZaL-zo

Seriously though, check out this nut:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYqU5nx2fDI

endacl

Well, yes. I suppose.

Does listening to a podcast count?

My phone is always used as a Sat Nav on the windscreen mount. I do take calls via the cars integrated Bluetooth occasionally. The phone is never in my hand whilst driving.

I see lots of people driving with their phone against their ear. Especially van drivers. I can't understand how anyone could possibly text and drive at the same time.

Potential-Monke

vicwatson wrote: »

Checking texts and replying is an offence op. The offence is holding the phone in your hand no matter what you are doing with it.

The offence is now for using a mobile phone, so even having it in a cradle and tapping the screen is illegal. Even if it's in airplane mode and being used as a sat-nav.

Also, just because the car is not in motion, does not excuse the use of it. Stopped at lights, regardless, is using your phone while driving.

Then again, is being on a call any more dangerous than, say, eating a bag of Tayto, taking a drink, changing the radio station (even with the on wheel controls), being all old school and changing a CD, etc? They all involve not giving driving 100% concentration.

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

vicwatson wrote: »

Checking texts and replying is an offence op. The offence is holding the phone in your hand no matter what you are doing with it.

Aye and that's why I said: 'I have to admit..'.

duckcfc

Yes I use phone when driving

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Yep

WilyCoyote

Yes, I take and make calls. Never text. I cannot see the problem but I know people who could not whistle and piss simultaneously.
Incidentally, I'm not breaking the law:
There is no prohibition on cell phone use while driving in New Hampshire. However, all New Hampshire drivers are prohibited from texting.
Cell Phone Use
There is no cell phone prohibition for New Hampshire drivers.
Texting Laws
All New Hampshire drivers are prohibited from texting while driving. The law states: "A person operating a moving motor vehicle who writes a text message or uses two hands to type on or operate an electronic or telecommunications device, is guilty of a violation. A person does not write a text message when he or she reads, selects, or enters a phone number or name in a wireless communications device for the purpose of making a phone call."
Bus Drivers
As with all New Hampshire drivers, bus drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.
How is it Enforced?
There is a $100 fine for text messaging while driving. New Hampshire’s text messaging laws are considered “primary” laws. A primary law means that an officer can pull you over for the offense without having to witness some other violation. That is, the officer sees you texting and issues a citation.
Read more about New Hampshire’s distracted driving laws.

"Hello dear! Meatloaf and String beans tonight? Hello? Hello? I think the problem is at your side. Hello? Fuck it, it's not turned on."

WilyCoyote

Oops! Not au fait with the new rules. "Sorry Sheriff, wasn't aware of the rule change.":o

Del2005

Potential-Monke wrote: »

The offence is now for using a mobile phone, so even having it in a cradle and tapping the screen is illegal. Even if it's in airplane mode and being used as a sat-nav.

That was what they wanted you to believe or was widely misreported in the press.

The actual law is only for text and MMS messages being sent or received, you can still happily surf the internet once it's in a hands free cradle.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2014/en.si.2014.0178.pdf

WilyCoyote

I honestly believe that this is beyond the powers of the Gardai.
A red herring to skew the figures.
Crime is out of control and all the boys in blue think of is 1) Grabbing any overtime on an easy shift, 2) Staying closer to a rising star - who may pull you up with them, and 3) Pension and tax-free payoff.


Corrupt officers at the top -

That earned their stripes from ......... you know who,
That instill this way of thinking in their stations,
That corrupt young idealistic Gardai from straightening things out

Is it any wonder that law and order is gone haywire!

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

Potential-Monke wrote: »

The offence is now for using a mobile phone, so even having it in a cradle and tapping the screen is illegal. Even if it's in airplane mode and being used as a sat-nav.

No, that's not true. The law makes it illegal to send and receive text messages and emails. You can access all other information on a device that you wish, as long as you are not holding that device.

Testament1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I can't understand how anyone could possibly text and drive at the same time.

Old Nokia's used to be great for texting while driving. Once you had the button placements memorised and predictive text on you could text without even looking at the phone. Great job!

suicide_circus

Yes I do. However I am referring to one of those baby toys which hangs above a cot, not a cellular phone.

No Pants

Trebor176 wrote: »

I hate peoples' "I don't give a toss" attitude towards certain things, such as being on a mobile while driving, knowing bloody well that it is illegal, and does indeed carry a fine and/or penalty points. This is how accidents occur.

I don't understand the logic here.