Time to toughen mobile penalties

10:43am Monday 24th September 2012 in Opinion

Time to toughen mobile penalties Time to toughen mobile penalties

TOO many of us are doing it. And some of us don’t seem to think it’s a problem. We are talking about using mobile phones while driving.

A recent survey showed that a staggering 42 per cent of 21,000 drivers polled admitted to some kind of mobile use while they were behind the wheel. In Dorset, as in other places, the excuses given when offenders are absolutely hilarious.

One woman told police: “I was just putting my calories into my iPhone slimming app.” A man handed a ticket explained: “I wasn’t using it. I was just taking photographs with it.”

But you don’t need the evidence of an opinion poll to tell you how bad the problem is. Take a drive around, even for a short while, and you’ll see with your own eyes.

Our lawmakers were slow to catch up with the dangers of mobile phones in cars. They now need to legislate to toughen up the penalties. Clearly the deterrent effect isn’t working.

Comments(7)

hammer says...
11:47am Mon 24 Sep 12

I seen a van at a petrol station yesterday with a guy in the driver's seat with a young boy about 3. An older woman gets into the front passenger seat, the guy then puts the young boy on her lap and off they drive..........unbel
ievable! Hang your head in shame!

Report this post »

juniperberry says...
12:04pm Mon 24 Sep 12

No tougher penalties are not needed, dangerous driving is dangerous driving and there were already laws in place to deal with it or maybe we can start on people eating a sweetie, smoking a fag, scratching their head or even talking to the person in the passenger seat!
We need less legislation not more. If we don't stop we'll all have a camera in our car and home 'just in case'!

Report this post »

rayc says...
12:08pm Mon 24 Sep 12

It was the authorities who deemed it to be a minor offence originally a £30 fine with no endorsement. They then increased it to £60 with 3 points. Now they may offer a Driver Awareness Course as an option, mainly so that the Police can retain the surplus from the courses to fund their operations.
Is it the Police themselves who have down rated the offence to one that can be dealt with by attendance at a course, rather than prosecution?

Report this post »

hrothgar says...
2:33pm Mon 24 Sep 12

The punishment, if caught, should be the same as for drink driving. Disqualification for at least a year plus a hefty fine.

Report this post »

The-Bleeding-Obvious says...
5:43am Tue 25 Sep 12

The article doesn't state how many accidents occur as a result of using a mobile phone. Were the 21,000 asked if they had been involved in an accident while using the phone at the wheel? No, thought not! You see so much of it going on yet the accident rate continues to decline. May be its not that dangerous? Perhaps 'use of a mobile phone while driving' should be included in the driving test?

Report this post »

paul.p says...
10:36am Tue 25 Sep 12

Drivers who are caught can pay a £60 fine but can't afford a £20 bluetooth earpiece.....bizarre
.

Report this post »

Finbarr Finkelstein says...
12:11pm Wed 26 Sep 12

The police will tell you the main cause of accidents is speed.
I heard a traffic officer on the telly saying "there are indications of drivers using mobile devices, sometimes I've seen them look down to their left, but they invariably slow down and that is a dead give away"
Come on boys, you cannot have it both ways.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree