17 September 2010

Ever more severe mobile phone laws

| johnboy
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Comrade Stanhope is increasingly frustrated with all of you ignoring him and continuing to use your phones whilst driving.

To that end he has made new laws so that the extent to which you ignore him is increased:

Under the laws, drivers can only use a mobile phone to make or receive a call if the phone is secured in a cradle, or if it can be operated without being touched and is not resting on any part of the driver’s body. All other functions of the phone including text messaging, video calls and emailing are prohibited.

If the phone rings while I'm driving

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and i rekkun the fine should double for those idiots what are talking blithely on their mobiles and driving with a passenger in the car who could be talking for them…

[/rant]

Stanhope picked up an old Age newspaper. This has been happening in Victoria for at least 6 months.

caf said :

They won’t fear the punishment because they don’t believe it will happen to them.

You have hit the nail on the head.

drewski said :

Thoroughly Smashed said :

This option could be written in two ways:
1) “I’m aggressively ignorant of my own limitations”
2) “I have an arrogant and inflated sense of my own worth and abilities”

Thoroughly Smashed, it’s definitely not 1), but perhaps 2).

So you admit to having an inflated sense of your own abilities? Probably a good reason not to use your phone while driving then. Just throwing it out there…

Thoroughly Smashed said :

This option could be written in two ways:
1) “I’m aggressively ignorant of my own limitations”
2) “I have an arrogant and inflated sense of my own worth and abilities”

Thoroughly Smashed, it’s definitely not 1), but perhaps 2).

Most of us can drive down a quiet street and talk on the phone. It is when the third variable comes in that there is a problem – pensioner stops in front of you, kid runs out, paper blows onto your windscreen, friend on the phone says something shocking, you move phone to get better reception, ute pulls out in front of you, car in the next lane drifts accross (cos they’re on the phone). etc etc etc.

Some people can drive with their knees and juggle – doesn’t mean we should all be free to have a go.

Thoroughly Smashed11:32 am 19 Sep 10

drewski said :

Johnboy I don’t think your poll is representative enough, because none of the options apply to me.

I find the false choices in johnboy’s polls to be part of The RiotACT’s charm.

drewski said :

How about the option: ‘I’ll just answer it because I am in fact able to do more than one thing at once, including answering my phone, talking and driving a manual vehicle.’

This option could be written in two ways:
1) “I’m aggressively ignorant of my own limitations”
2) “I have an arrogant and inflated sense of my own worth and abilities”

drewski said :

I agree texting is dangerous because I have to take my eyes off the road, but I think a law against talking on mobiles while driving is about as devolutionary as compulsory helmets for riding bicycles and jay walking.

Okay, back under the bridge now.

Johnboy I don’t think your poll is representative enough, because none of the options apply to me.

How about the option: ‘I’ll just answer it because I am in fact able to do more than one thing at once, including answering my phone, talking and driving a manual vehicle.’

I agree texting is dangerous because I have to take my eyes off the road, but I think a law against talking on mobiles while driving is about as devolutionary as compulsory helmets for riding bicycles and jay walking.

georgesgenitals said :

What’s the legality of using a CB while driving?

CBs with a push-to-talk button or a hand-mic arent allowed to be used while driving, unless you have a vox system or a badge. Also remember, none of these rules apply to those who enforce them.

vg said :

The current laws, ‘Use Hand Held Mobile Device’ and ‘Drive with Undue Care and Attention’ … But I have a far simpler solution.

What about a simpler solution, rather than targetting those who are on their mobile, why not target the undue care and attention it causes? This would not only target those on a phone, but also those putting their makeup on, changing the CD without looking at the road, eatting, etc. Given the number of people who use their mobile phones while driving and dont have accidents, there are obviously some people able to do both at the same time, but spending any time on our roads, shows that you dont need to have a phone glued to your ear to be an unattentive unaware driver, and those are the people I think should be targetted as a group, before those who are doing some action, and able to remain aware at the same time.

From a PR point of view, targetting the evil mobile phone wins more points than targetting unattentive drivers, but weve always had PR put before safety. In the same way you win more PR points for having cameras at traffic lights that catch ‘red light runners and speeders’ but dont do anything for tailgaters, who are much more likely to cause an accident at an intersection than someone speeding through an orange light.

georgesgenitals7:54 pm 17 Sep 10

vg said :

Interesting.

The current laws, ‘Use Hand Held Mobile Device’ and ‘Drive with Undue Care and Attention’ already covered exactly what the Comrade wants to cover again, but great attempt at looking at doing something. But I have a far simpler solution.

Use Hand Held Mobile Device…….Fine $1000.

Once the first couple get given out the word will get around.

Here’s your answer.

I think its fair enough that people use their mobile phones while driving. Most people are truly so important that their banal conversations about what Davo did last night over at Steph’s house are worth risking a car accident over.

Most people think $271 dollars and 3 points is already too harsh. People don’t care and continue to cruise around in their own little world.

….because they don’t believe it wil happen to them.

I agree – they don’t. But if we had a few more coppers on the roads policing the perfectly adequate laws we have, then they WILL believe that they WILL get caught.

End of problem.

Where was the option in the poll for “I long ago saw the writing on the wall and spend $100 on a bluetooth handsfree gadget”?

Sgt.Bungers said :

Suddenly all these nanny state laws will no longer be needed, as the punishment for screwing up will be feared.

Your premise is faulty – those who do the things you described when driving have clearly demonstrated that they do not believe that they will ever come unstuck. They won’t fear the punishment because they don’t believe it will happen to them.

Amanda Hugankis said :

I think the safest thing is that no driver should be driving;

witha chatty passenger/s
with children in the back seat without having been strapped down and mouth/s gaffer taped (and no pencils/buzz lightyear/nintendo ds/plastic AK47, etc)
with animals
with the radio playing
with a GPS in operation
a lit smoke
listening to an iPod
with a drink
with the windows down
in high heeled shoes
in thongs
with anything in your lap
in a skirt.

Anything else that could cause a distraction?

Down the main street of Manuka on a pleasantly sunny day at lunch time, they get distracted by all the short skirts and low cut tops, I don’t I stop and stare, can’t be to careful in a motor vehicle, just my little bit for public safety…

Amanda Hugankis3:00 pm 17 Sep 10

I think the safest thing is that no driver should be driving;

witha chatty passenger/s
with children in the back seat without having been strapped down and mouth/s gaffer taped (and no pencils/buzz lightyear/nintendo ds/plastic AK47, etc)
with animals
with the radio playing
with a GPS in operation
a lit smoke
listening to an iPod
with a drink
with the windows down
in high heeled shoes
in thongs
with anything in your lap
in a skirt.

Anything else that could cause a distraction?

Amanda Hugankis2:46 pm 17 Sep 10

What if its in the cradle, but can still only be operated by touching it? And does this go for the radio and air conditioner as well?

georgesgenitals said :

What’s the legality of using a CB while driving?

You dont dial or enter text on a CB. You press to talk.

The use of the mobile phone has probably led to an increase, or at least a slowing in, the road fatality rate. However you will still see a pollie or policeman stand in front of a car accident and blame speeding, even if the corpse has a mobile phone in its dead cold hand.

I know one person who admitted to me they were texting when they drove through a roundabout and hit the pole in the middle head on. The insurance company refused to pay out.

mark karlson2:37 pm 17 Sep 10

But what about the cyclists talking on their mobile phones as they ride I’m sure they’re the most dangerous and nobody’s mentioned them yet.

Before you go blaming our Chief minister, they are actually national laws that the ACT is falling into line with.

I have to agree though on your lap is pretty silly, but ask a cop and the only time they can enforce it will be likely iof they pull you over for speeding or at an RBT and see it on your lap.

That said seriously if you don’t think using a mobile phone is a distraction then you have no idea. I was lucky i had an accident once and learnt my lesson the hard way with no one being injured.

My recommendation is to get a holder/cradle for your phone ie $20 or less thingy. You can just use the phones hands free mode then.

vg said :

Interesting.

The current laws, ‘Use Hand Held Mobile Device’ and ‘Drive with Undue Care and Attention’ already covered exactly what the Comrade wants to cover again, but great attempt at looking at doing something. But I have a far simpler solution.

Use Hand Held Mobile Device…….Fine $1000.

Once the first couple get given out the word will get around.

So, at the moment, can you be hit with all three fines?

Interesting.

The current laws, ‘Use Hand Held Mobile Device’ and ‘Drive with Undue Care and Attention’ already covered exactly what the Comrade wants to cover again, but great attempt at looking at doing something. But I have a far simpler solution.

Use Hand Held Mobile Device…….Fine $1000.

Once the first couple get given out the word will get around.

screaming banshee12:22 pm 17 Sep 10

On a recent trip to Vic, I noticed of the ‘speed cameras’ that were marked, they were labelled as traffic safety cameras or some such. And in one instance had cameras to capture both the front and rear of the vehicle.

One wonders if the cameras take a photo of every car that passes while a team of individuals sift through looking for people talking on their phone / eating a hamburger / engaged in sexual intercourse whilst driving.

Whether it is actually hapenning or not I dont know and couldn’t be bothered researching to find out, but what do the nay-sayers of speed cameras think of this idea, being used to police more than just speed.

Think of all the extra voluntary taxes you’ll have to pay.

I remember when I was little there were public education campaigns to let people know they should make sure they know what the car is doing and not take their eyes off the road when they change the radio station or cassette.

Why can’t the same work for mobile phones? You’re already supposed to drive with both hands on the wheel (apart from when removing a hand to do something quickly) and are supposed to generally watch the road. I think using a phone already makes these difficult and people should be encouraged to use their phones as safely as possible.

Muttsybignuts11:39 am 17 Sep 10

georgesgenitals said :

What’s the legality of using a CB while driving?

It is illegal to use a CB unless you are a Rubber Duck or Bear.

shadow boxer11:31 am 17 Sep 10

Sgt.Bungers said :

Pretty sure these laws have been in force for a while now. Victoria ran into some trouble recently when a person was booked for using the GPS function of his iPhone, whilst it was properly mounted, as he was using a function of his phone categorised under the broad “all other functions”.

He appealled, it was eventually thrown out being such a ridiculous charge.

One could argue that a smart phone is not actually a phone, it is a computer with a mobile phone application on it.

What about Car Navigation devices with built in bluetooth? Is that then classed as a phone?

The law should be plain and simple. Kill a person whilst driving because you broke a law, were distracted by anything other than the critical task at hand… automatic prison, 10 years minimum, plus an automatic lifetime driving ban, with life in prison if ever caught breaking the ban.

Use your mobile phone if you want. Drive drunk if you want. Drive excessively fast if you want. Tailgate if you want. Cut things fine whilst overtaking in order to save 30 seconds, if you want… but if you f*k it up, you never drive a motor vehicle on a public road again and will rot in prison.

Suddenly all these nanny state laws will no longer be needed, as the punishment for screwing up will be feared.

Deary me……..it must be good to be perfect and live in a world that black and white

shadow boxer said :

I dont think its illegal, I just plug it into the AV input on my CD player. Changing songs might be but is that any different to changing radio stations.

Seriously whether the phone is in my lap or on the seat next to it seems kind of the same thing.

My mistake, I was talking about driving with the earphones in – which I have seen a few people doing, unfortunately.

I guess the difference between having your phone in your lap or on the seat next to you is that your lap is a less stable surface. Keeping the phone balanced may restrict your ability to operate the pedals, as well as being an additional distraction from the task at hand. There’s also a greater potential for complications if it slips off into the driver’s footwell (getting stuck under the brake, for instance).

That’s just off the top of my head, I’m sure there are studies on this sort of thing somewhere out there.

Rawhide Kid Part311:05 am 17 Sep 10

Ah! Thats why that Volvo driver, wearing a hat was wondering all over the road in front of me the other day. I just thought he was drunk.

shadow boxer10:49 am 17 Sep 10

Erg0 said :

shadow boxer said :

I think we should ban ipods, eating and conversation in cars as well, it wont be long and cars will be going at walking pace, obviously the slower and less distracted people are the better but there needs to be some common sense here.

That’s funny, I thought that not operating your phone while driving was common sense.

And I’m pretty sure you’ll find that listening to your iPod while driving is already illegal. So stop it.

I dont think its illegal, I just plug it into the AV input on my CD player. Changing songs might be but is that any different to changing radio stations.

Seriously whether the phone is in my lap or on the seat next to it seems kind of the same thing.

georgesgenitals10:42 am 17 Sep 10

What’s the legality of using a CB while driving?

Citizen said :

You can’t have your phone sitting in your lap on speaker? Hmmmmm thats Bull shint!

I’ve always wondered about drive throughs.

Some teeny Bopper pulling out of Macca’s eating a cheese burger while holding a coke and driving hmmmmm but wait thats never mentioned in the news is it? I wonder why? Hmmm Maybe becasue big billion dollar corporations own these fast food places hmmmmmmm

Good thing there are no big billion dollar corporations making mobile phones!

Wait…

Pretty sure these laws have been in force for a while now. Victoria ran into some trouble recently when a person was booked for using the GPS function of his iPhone, whilst it was properly mounted, as he was using a function of his phone categorised under the broad “all other functions”.

He appealled, it was eventually thrown out being such a ridiculous charge.

One could argue that a smart phone is not actually a phone, it is a computer with a mobile phone application on it.

What about Car Navigation devices with built in bluetooth? Is that then classed as a phone?

The law should be plain and simple. Kill a person whilst driving because you broke a law, were distracted by anything other than the critical task at hand… automatic prison, 10 years minimum, plus an automatic lifetime driving ban, with life in prison if ever caught breaking the ban.

Use your mobile phone if you want. Drive drunk if you want. Drive excessively fast if you want. Tailgate if you want. Cut things fine whilst overtaking in order to save 30 seconds, if you want… but if you f*k it up, you never drive a motor vehicle on a public road again and will rot in prison.

Suddenly all these nanny state laws will no longer be needed, as the punishment for screwing up will be feared.

shadow boxer said :

I think we should ban ipods, eating and conversation in cars as well, it wont be long and cars will be going at walking pace, obviously the slower and less distracted people are the better but there needs to be some common sense here.

That’s funny, I thought that not operating your phone while driving was common sense.

And I’m pretty sure you’ll find that listening to your iPod while driving is already illegal. So stop it.

Citizen said :

Some teeny Bopper pulling out of Macca’s eating a cheese burger while holding a coke and driving hmmmmm but wait thats never mentioned in the news is it? I wonder why? Hmmm Maybe becasue big billion dollar corporations own these fast food places hmmmmmmm

But wait that’s never mentioned in the news? Are you serious? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Usually I hit the speaker phone button and wedge it in the sun-visor. But I guess now that would be breaking a law. Although, if I were to answer it while not driving, wedge it in the sun-visor, then commence driving, that would be legal since once the call is commenced it can be operated without being touched.

shadow boxer9:54 am 17 Sep 10

I think we should ban ipods, eating and conversation in cars as well, it wont be long and cars will be going at walking pace, obviously the slower and less distracted people are the better but there needs to be some common sense here.

The car safety industry reminds me of chicken little running around with all their hair brained schemes but ignoring the elephants in the room “realistic speed limits that people believe in, better driver training and increasing the driving age”

I wanted to video people using their mobile phones while driving, making sure i got a shot of their number plate then sending the footage to the police. If no response then maybe i can just post them here to name and shame.

Then i realised i was probably in the wrong using my phone while driving……

You can’t have your phone sitting in your lap on speaker? Hmmmmm thats Bull shint!

I’ve always wondered about drive throughs.

Some teeny Bopper pulling out of Macca’s eating a cheese burger while holding a coke and driving hmmmmm but wait thats never mentioned in the news is it? I wonder why? Hmmm Maybe becasue big billion dollar corporations own these fast food places hmmmmmmm

I agree with Comrade Stanhope. I find it a little terrifying to drive behind, but particularly in front of, another car where the driver is talking on his phone. It is clear that they can’t entirely concentrate. I usually pull over to let them pass.

There are so many hands free options available these days, I don’t understand why people who insist on using their mobile while they drive don’t just get one of those.

I agree with Stanhope on this one. The amount of people that I see in cars and trucks on mobile phones is staggering and mostly when they are trying to go around a roundabout with one hand which means no indicator either. I have taken a call in the car handsfree and found my concentration levels lower than what they should have been. I really don’t see what is so urgent that people need to be on their phones in the car anyway. Don’t know how any survived before mobile phone days.

Jon,mate, you’ve done something right at last.

It’s about time all these f*ckwits who put everyone else at risk on the roads were put on notice.

Now all you have to do is, firstly, make sure that these laws are enforced, and secondly, that the the fines are properly enforced.

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