mobile phone safety at the wheel (Mobile phone safety)

Member Name: mykp

Product:	Mobile phone safety
Date:	05/01/02 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: talking, talking

Disadvantages: death/injure yourself, death/injure others

Being different I wanted to express my opinions on another area of phone safety one which has a potentially quicker effect of killing you than brain disease or cancer.

This is Driving whilst using a phone.

I am talking about all use of mobile phones whilst driving not just the rep in his car hurtling down the M6. In fact I am going to waffle more about the average Joe or Jane Schmoe who uses his/her phone casually to and from where ever.

Okay the use of radio/telecommunications equipment is illegal, unless you have some form of hands free kit. This is punishable by an unlimited fine, a ban for an indeterminate period at the courts discretion or two years in prison.

Although there are serious ramifications if caught the actual likelihood of being caught by the police is very slim. Most police drivers aren?t the most observant or just don?t bother with offenders, as it is difficult to secure a conviction.

The real danger to using your mobile in the car is the danger of death or the danger of killing/maiming yourself or others. Even though you might feel that you are a good driver (Hands up everybody who isn?t? Nobody!) You are not in full control of your car. You only have one hand free to control the car and your attention is on the phone not on the driving.

How many times have you been behind somebody who turns without indicating and is using a phone, somebody weaving from lane to lane on the motorway as they use a phone, a car being driven erratically whilst its driver is using a phone. You get the idea.

Is your life so worthless that you cannot wait to make that phone call or pull over if you really must make/receive that call. If you can?t pull over then use your answering machine, that?s what it?s there for to take calls when you can?t.

Personally, I won?t answer my phone in the car, not that I?m scared of the police but I am a responsible adult and the thought of using my phone and havi
ng an accident whilst using it is always at the back of my mind. Plus if you do use it and have an accident and your insurance company find out you where using your phone they can void your insurance. That could lead to an expensive phone call.

So next time your phone rings in the car or you have an uncontrollable urge to use your phone, turn it off and put it away before you do yourself or somebody else a mischief.

Have a look here for more info:
http://users.mobile-phone-guide.co.uk/driving/ default.htm

© copyright 2002, Mike Porter.

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