UK drivers risk 2 years in prison for cellphone use.

[Kutjara]

<snip>

Motorists who use a hand-held mobile phone or fiddle with a satellite-navigation system while driving could be jailed for up to two years.

Prosecutors have said they could be charged with dangerous driving in a dramatically tougher approach to such offences.

Those caught fiddling with an MP3 music player or texting on a mobile at the wheel could also face the charge.

<snip>

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23411328-details/Drivers+risk+two+years+in+jail+for+using+their+mobile+phones/article.do

The article is slightly alarmist, in that the penalty for simple cellphone use (without the added offense of dangerous driving) will remain a $120 fine and three points on the offender's license (out of a maximum of 12). What's new is that if the cellphone (or satnav or mp3) use results in dangerous driving, then it's pokey-time.

[valerief]

1. Excellent. Drivers should be driving. nt

[emilyg]

2. agree with you.

[burythehatchet]

3. Most excellent. Won't fly here. The telecom oligopoly will prevent it.

[Kutjara]

12. Sadly, I think you're right.

We're getting a cellphone law here in CA next year (it was passed in '06 but the legislature delayed enforcement for two years, presumably to give people time to finish up any calls they were on), but it's little more than a slap on the wrist for the chattering classes.

[burythehatchet]

4. Came back to recommend this because it's exactly the solution I would have

supported. If your usage causes harm, I want your butt on ice.

[Kutjara]

8. Watching the antics of cellphone using fuckwits here in California...

...I wish they'd enact a similar law here. There will be a ban on non-handsfree cellphone use next year, but it's pretty weak sauce.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. What if they are using a blue tooth or a headset?

Is that allowed?

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Most places with these kinds of laws

do, but they shouldn't

Driving while on the phone is as dangerous as driving drunk


It is not me saying this... there are now studies backing this up

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Yes I have seen those studies.

That's why I asked. I use my headset in my car and feel like I am paying attention better that I would be without it. I like to drive with 2 hands. But I do know about the studies.

[Kutjara]

9. Yes, handsfree use is allowed.

Even though a number of studies have shown it to be just as distracting for the driver.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. I have a co-worker who has a blue tooth built into her car

So she talks to the dashboard if her phone rings. She says it has never failed to make her feel like an idiot, talking to her speedometer. :)

[Kutjara]

15. It's like the people you see walking around the grocery store...

...talking to themselves. I find myself checking out their ears to see if I'm dealing with a Bluetooth user or a lunatic.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. GOOD!

Now try this in California.

But seriously folks driving while on cell is as bad as driving drunk

And I got to see the early use of this technology as a medic and we saw the correlation

Trust me... when I drive, my cell is NOT answered... hell at times I just plain turn it OFF and place it on the seat BEFORE I get off the stall

It shall not go back ON until I reach my destination and safely PARK

[Kutjara]

10. I'm the same.

Having been an early cellphone adopter back in my callow youth, I got into a few scrapes through using the device while driving. Fortunately, none of them resulted in an accident, but that was completely due to luck rather than design. For the past decade, I refuse to have a cellphone turned on while I'm driving. There's plenty of time to check messages and return calls when I'm back on two feet.

[Zech Marquis]

11. as a new driver myself

I only have a cellphone in my glove compartment, in the event that I get lost or something. Otherwise I NEVER drive and do anything else BUT drive. I wish there were some more laws here in Virginia regulating that mess...