Deterring mobile phone use

[Cyril Haearn]

So he/she is potentially driving a killer and basically a slap on the wrist ? chances of being caught is low yet punishment is low ? Should not be doing it, no excuses so lets have harsh punishments

I don't consider the penalties I've outlined to be a 'slap on the wrist' for a first offence or second one FTM.

...

TBH like TC has mentioned above the problem isn't one of penalties,it's one of detection.
Most offenders if they knew they'd be caught wouldn't commit the crime.
Of course that's not the whole story for everyone driving as the recent case of someone done 8 times for mobile abuse at the wheel...


The UK desperately needs an effective police force not only for traffic but across the board,but joe public decided they prefer lower taxes

Maybe we should get used to writing "first DETECTED offence".

[landsurfer]

The UK desperately needs an effective police force not only for traffic but across the board,but joe public decided they prefer lower taxes

When was "Joe Public" asked the question ?

[reohn2]

The UK desperately needs an effective police force not only for traffic but across the board,but joe public decided they prefer lower taxes

When was "Joe Public" asked the question ?

When it voted for a government that promised low taxes.

[reohn2]

Maybe we should get used to writing "first DETECTED offence".

If the police had enough manpower and their morale wasn't in their boots,and if we stopped electing useless police commissionaires,there'd be more crime detected,which in turn would lead to potential criminals not risking it.

A good police force is a deterrent,an undermanned one is absent.

[landsurfer]

The UK desperately needs an effective police force not only for traffic but across the board,but joe public decided they prefer lower taxes

When was "Joe Public" asked the question ?

When it voted for a government that promised low taxes.

Did they promise to reduce the number of police .?

[mjr]

If the police had enough manpower and their morale wasn't in their boots,and if we stopped electing useless police commissionaires,there'd be more crime detected,which in turn would lead to potential criminals not risking it.

I think the change from unelected police authorities to "electing useless police commissionaires" has made no difference to this either way yet. The overwhelmingly-dominant problem is police manpower and morale.

[reohn2]

Did they promise to reduce the number of police .?

There's a problem that some don't seem to be able to figure out,it's simply that less money buys less.

[reohn2]

I think the change from unelected police authorities to "electing useless police commissionaires" has made no difference to this either way yet.

Then what's their use?

The overwhelmingly-dominant problem is police manpower and morale.

We're agreed on that then

[landsurfer]

I think the change from unelected police authorities to "electing useless police commissionaires" has made no difference to this either way yet.

Then what's their use?

The overwhelmingly-dominant problem is police manpower and morale.

We're agreed on that then

I think that Commissionaires are just another level of management ..... totally pointless ..... but their salary .... oh yea ! less than a police officer if you include pension, holiday, overtime ..... etc ...
But still useless .....

[mjr]

I think the change from unelected police authorities to "electing useless police commissionaires" has made no difference to this either way yet.

Then what's their use?

To have one sort-of-accountable full timer, which is probably cheaper than the fourteen unelected part-timers of the old police authority. The drawback is that someone who has to stand for ejection might be reluctant to take unpopular steps that would reduce crimes... especially true of motoring crimes?

[Psamathe]

One thing I can't understand is why people are driving and holding their phone to their ears when driving. Ignoring the issue of even talking hands-free whilst driving (which I accept is a big issue but thinking only about compliance with the law), my pretty cheap and 8 year old car radio automatically connects to my phone whenever both are switched on and in bluetooth range and the radio becomes a hands free unit (no need to charge anything, nothing to remember to stick in your ear, simple). I never have to even think about plugging anything in, never think about connecting - car in phone, engine on and it's automatically hands-free. This is cheap old proven technology comparative pricing to a tank of petrol for many.

So why is anybody risking killing or seriously injuring somebody as well as fines and points when there is such cheap easy convenient technology available.

And as some cars come supplied with weird shape non-standard radios, introduce a new law/regulation that any car supplied new or registered after <e.g. next week> that includes a car radio must include functionality built-in for hands free operation through bluetooth (through the radio). I'd be amazed if they don't already (I know of a Ford that is 5 years old that does not!).

Ian

[reohn2]

I think the change from unelected police authorities to "electing useless police commissionaires" has made no difference to this either way yet.

Then what's their use?

To have one sort-of-accountable full timer, which is probably cheaper than the fourteen unelected part-timers of the old police authority. The drawback is that someone who has to stand for ejection might be reluctant to take unpopular steps that would reduce crimes... especially true of motoring crimes?

Ain't that the truth

[Cyril Haearn]

Then what's their use?

To have one sort-of-accountable full timer, which is probably cheaper than the fourteen unelected part-timers of the old police authority. The drawback is that someone who has to stand for ejection might be reluctant to take unpopular steps that would reduce crimes... especially true of motoring crimes?

Ain't that the truth

Action against motoring crimes would be popular with all right-thinking people. Anyone here against it??

Crass publicity is needed, for example reports on drivers whose stupidity killed members of their own family and the psychological consequences.

[Cyril Haearn]

One thing I can't understand is why people are driving and holding their phone to their ears when driving. Ignoring the issue of even talking hands-free whilst driving (which I accept is a big issue but thinking only about compliance with the law), my pretty cheap and 8 year old car radio automatically connects to my phone whenever both are switched on and in bluetooth range and the radio becomes a hands free unit (no need to charge anything, nothing to remember to stick in your ear, simple). I never have to even think about plugging anything in, never think about connecting - car in phone, engine on and it's automatically hands-free. This is cheap old proven technology comparative pricing to a tank of petrol for many.

So why is anybody risking killing or seriously injuring somebody as well as fines and points when there is such cheap easy convenient technology available.

And as some cars come supplied with weird shape non-standard radios, introduce a new law/regulation that any car supplied new or registered after <e.g. next week> that includes a car radio must include functionality built-in for hands free operation.. .

Ian

Hands-free calls also distract and should be banned. The law is behind the times here too.

Best not to hear radio or music either, except perhaps on the motorway, that is my rule I find driving quite relaxing.

[reohn2]

Action against motoring crimes would be popular with all right-thinking people.

The problem is not everyone is right thinking.

Anyone here against it??

I don't think you'll find anyone disagreeing with you,but then almost everyone here is a vulnerable road user.

Crass publicity is needed, for example reports on drivers whose stupidity killed members of their own family and the psychological consequences.

Could help,though people think it'll never happen to them.
That's why I see so many people using mobiles whilst driving,the answer IMHO is a definite and appreciable possibility of being caught,their licence taken away,a heavy fine,points and the cost of a rehab course.
Though for that to happen we need(effective policing)what we as a society have decided we don't need because they cost too much.