Mobile Phones Usage During Driving - Some Facts

>> ... However, studies have found out that the distraction is caused by
>> the conversation itself; hence, both hand-held and hands-free cell
>> phones contribute towards road traffic accidents...
>> http://personaltechinfo.googlepages....ut_cell_phones
>
"George Weston"
> Ergo, conversations of any kind while driving are potentially dangerous.
>
Not quite right.
The problem is the GSM compression algorithm (codec), which is deliberately
designed to lose some data in order to maximise cell capacity. This was
demonstrated on Tomorrow's World back when GSM system was launched.
Your brain then has to 'guess' at what the word was, therefore you need to
concentrate more to hold conversation on mobile phone. Again this has been
demonstrated with people on driving simulators shoving delayed reaction.
Note that the GSM codec can also be used in VoIP, it is the highest
available compression and the only one usable on dial-up line.

The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you busy driving
(on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the conversation, while person
on the other end of a mobile phone will start saying "Hello, hello, are you
still there..." thus distracting you further.
Regards,
Martin

---

› See More: Mobile Phones Usage During Driving - Some Facts

Martin² wrote:

>
> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you busy
> driving (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the
> conversation,

You've never driven with my partner, once they start babbling, nothing
stops them.


while person on the other end of a mobile phone will
> start saying "Hello, hello, are you still there..." thus
> distracting you further.

That's why you ask them to hang on & then ignore them until it's safe
to talk (via your handsfree kit of course)

Martin² wrote:


>The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you busy driving
>(on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the conversation, while person
>on the other end of a mobile phone will start saying "Hello, hello, are you
>still there..." thus distracting you further.
>Regards,
>Martin
>

....and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to keep
his eyes on the road at all times.

Chris

Chris wrote:
> Martin² wrote:
>
>
>> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you busy driving
>> (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the conversation, while person
>> on the other end of a mobile phone will start saying "Hello, hello, are you
>> still there..." thus distracting you further.
>> Regards,
>> Martin
>>
>
> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to keep
> his eyes on the road at all times.
>
> Chris
I used hands free quite a bit. I used to say 'hang on, got a traffic
situation coming up, wait till I get round this roundabout'

Having mindless babble coming at you is something you get use to if yu
listen to eh radio: its the other person going 'hello, are you there?'
as you skilfully control a power slide and weave your way passed
assorted zombies siting looking stupid, putting on their lipstick, or
wiping the sick off their children's mouths..


;-)

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:08:30 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>Chris wrote:
>>> Martin² wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you busy
>>>> driving
>>>> (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the conversation, while
>>>> person
>>>> on the other end of a mobile phone will start saying "Hello, hello, are
>>>> you
>>>> still there..." thus distracting you further.
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Martin
>>>>
>>>
>>> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
>>> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
>>> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to keep
>>> his eyes on the road at all times.
>>>
>>> Chris
>>I used hands free quite a bit. I used to say 'hang on, got a traffic
>>situation coming up, wait till I get round this roundabout'
>>
>>Having mindless babble coming at you is something you get use to if yu
>>listen to eh radio: its the other person going 'hello, are you there?'
>>as you skilfully control a power slide and weave your way passed
>>assorted zombies siting looking stupid, putting on their lipstick, or
>>wiping the sick off their children's mouths..
>
> Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think it is time the
> police cracked down on mobile users whilst they are driving I never
> have my phone switched on while I am driving and the only reason I
> have take with me is in case of a brake down or some other emergency.

The police aren't around to 'crack down' on anything nowadays!
How many cars do you see without lights on when its foggy?
And how many with rear lights on when it isn't...

Chris

[email protected] wrote:
> On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:08:30 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> Chris wrote:
>>> Martin² wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you busy driving
>>>> (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the conversation, while person
>>>> on the other end of a mobile phone will start saying "Hello, hello, are you
>>>> still there..." thus distracting you further.
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Martin
>>>>
>>> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
>>> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
>>> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to keep
>>> his eyes on the road at all times.
>>>
>>> Chris
>> I used hands free quite a bit. I used to say 'hang on, got a traffic
>> situation coming up, wait till I get round this roundabout'
>>
>> Having mindless babble coming at you is something you get use to if yu
>> listen to eh radio: its the other person going 'hello, are you there?'
>> as you skilfully control a power slide and weave your way passed
>> assorted zombies siting looking stupid, putting on their lipstick, or
>> wiping the sick off their children's mouths..
>
> Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think it is time the
> police cracked down on mobile users whilst they are driving I never
> have my phone switched on while I am driving and the only reason I
> have take with me is in case of a brake down or some other emergency.

That's obviously right FOR YOU, but don't underestimate the pitch of
concentration and the ability to be simply rude to callers if the
traffic demands it that comes after years of high mileage driving.

I WISH the police instead of prosecuting for technical offences, would
actually prosecute people who DO have accidents.

As it is, if you reverse out into a car coming along a main road, you
get nothing. If you do 38mph down te same road at 3 a.m. you get £60 and
three points.

Which is in fact the worse offence?

But of course, which is easier to get an easy conviction on?

"The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] wrote:
>> On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:08:30 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Chris wrote:
>>>> Martin² wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you busy
>>>>> driving (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the
>>>>> conversation, while person on the other end of a mobile phone will
>>>>> start saying "Hello, hello, are you still there..." thus distracting
>>>>> you further.
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> Martin
>>>> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
>>>> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
>>>> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to keep
>>>> his eyes on the road at all times.
>>>>
>>>> Chris
>>> I used hands free quite a bit. I used to say 'hang on, got a traffic
>>> situation coming up, wait till I get round this roundabout'
>>>
>>> Having mindless babble coming at you is something you get use to if yu
>>> listen to eh radio: its the other person going 'hello, are you there?'
>>> as you skilfully control a power slide and weave your way passed
>>> assorted zombies siting looking stupid, putting on their lipstick, or
>>> wiping the sick off their children's mouths..
>>
>> Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think it is time the
>> police cracked down on mobile users whilst they are driving I never
>> have my phone switched on while I am driving and the only reason I
>> have take with me is in case of a brake down or some other emergency.
>
> That's obviously right FOR YOU, but don't underestimate the pitch of
> concentration and the ability to be simply rude to callers if the traffic
> demands it that comes after years of high mileage driving.
>
> I WISH the police instead of prosecuting for technical offences, would
> actually prosecute people who DO have accidents.

The police do prosecute if there is evidence.
It is easier to collect the evidence for speeding.
I wish they would do "speeders" for the correct offence when they are
snapped.. driving without due care and attention.
If you deliberately drive past a camera too fast, that is speeding.
If you don't see the camera that is without due care.

> As it is, if you reverse out into a car coming along a main road, you get
> nothing. If you do 38mph down te same road at 3 a.m. you get £60 and three
> points.
>
> Which is in fact the worse offence?

The speeding as you are more likely to kill or seriously injure someone by
going too fast.
If you hit a car reversing out at 30 mph neither of you is likely to get
hurt (which is why the police are seldom called to an accident btw).
A speeder hitting a pedestrian at 38 mph will probably kill them.

>
> But of course, which is easier to get an easy conviction on?

Fortunately the worse offense of speeding.

"Chris"
> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to keep
> his eyes on the road at all times.
>
> Chris

You only turn you head when you had a good look and know it's safe, just
pure self preservation !
Otherwise there would be millions of accidents every day.
Nothing to do with using mobile...
Regards,
Martin

"Martin²" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>> ... However, studies have found out that the distraction is caused by
>>> the conversation itself; hence, both hand-held and hands-free cell
>>> phones contribute towards road traffic accidents...
>>> http://personaltechinfo.googlepages....ut_cell_phones
>>
> "George Weston"
>> Ergo, conversations of any kind while driving are potentially dangerous.
>>
> Not quite right.
> The problem is the GSM compression algorithm (codec), which is
> deliberately designed to lose some data in order to maximise cell
> capacity. This was demonstrated on Tomorrow's World back when GSM system
> was launched.
> Your brain then has to 'guess' at what the word was, therefore you need to
> concentrate more to hold conversation on mobile phone. Again this has been
> demonstrated with people on driving simulators shoving delayed reaction.

Rubbish - the GSM algorithm is designed to keep the best clues to speech at
the lowest data rate, and it is very good at it - people still sound clear
with their voice clearly recognisable on mobile to mobile calls. OTOH GSM
is poor for music.

> Note that the GSM codec can also be used in VoIP, it is the highest
> available compression and the only one usable on dial-up line.

Utter rubbish. Dial up lines are normally compressed with A-Law or mu-Law
depending on where in the world you are. There are other methods too such
as DACS and adaptive PCM.

>
> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you busy
> driving (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the conversation,
> while person on the other end of a mobile phone will start saying "Hello,
> hello, are you still there..." thus distracting you further.

It is the additional activity that is the problem. Last time I had a bump
which was my fault I was talking to two people in my car.

> Regards,
> Martin
>

Of course there is a quasi religious contingent who want vastly reduced
speed limits, zero alcohol and no use of phones in cars. Which would prefer
someone who rings ahead to say they will be late or someone who races to get
there on time?

On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 23:13:25 -0000, "dennis@home"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
>"The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> As it is, if you reverse out into a car coming along a main road, you get
>> nothing. If you do 38mph down te same road at 3 a.m. you get £60 and three
>> points.
>>
>> Which is in fact the worse offence?
>
>The speeding as you are more likely to kill or seriously injure someone by
>going too fast.
>If you hit a car reversing out at 30 mph neither of you is likely to get
>hurt (which is why the police are seldom called to an accident btw).
>A speeder hitting a pedestrian at 38 mph will probably kill them.

You could easily kill someone by reversing out of a driveway, cyclists
and motorcyclists for example.

I think there should be more emphasis on avoiding collisions rather
than just having slower ones.

M

In message [email protected],
dennis@home <[email protected]> Proclaimed from the tallest
tower:

> "The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> [email protected] wrote:
>>> On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:08:30 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Chris wrote:
>>>>> Martin² wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you
>>>>>> busy driving (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the
>>>>>> conversation, while person on the other end of a mobile phone
>>>>>> will start saying "Hello, hello, are you still there..." thus
>>>>>> distracting you further.
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Martin
>>>>> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
>>>>> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
>>>>> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to
>>>>> keep his eyes on the road at all times.
>>>>>
>>>>> Chris
>>>> I used hands free quite a bit. I used to say 'hang on, got a
>>>> traffic situation coming up, wait till I get round this roundabout'
>>>>
>>>> Having mindless babble coming at you is something you get use to
>>>> if yu listen to eh radio: its the other person going 'hello, are
>>>> you there?' as you skilfully control a power slide and weave your
>>>> way passed assorted zombies siting looking stupid, putting on
>>>> their lipstick, or wiping the sick off their children's mouths..
>>>
>>> Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think it is time the
>>> police cracked down on mobile users whilst they are driving I never
>>> have my phone switched on while I am driving and the only reason I
>>> have take with me is in case of a brake down or some other
>>> emergency.
>>
>> That's obviously right FOR YOU, but don't underestimate the pitch of
>> concentration and the ability to be simply rude to callers if the
>> traffic demands it that comes after years of high mileage driving.
>>
>> I WISH the police instead of prosecuting for technical offences,
>> would actually prosecute people who DO have accidents.
>
> The police do prosecute if there is evidence.
> It is easier to collect the evidence for speeding.
> I wish they would do "speeders" for the correct offence when they are
> snapped.. driving without due care and attention.
> If you deliberately drive past a camera too fast, that is speeding.
> If you don't see the camera that is without due care.
>
>> As it is, if you reverse out into a car coming along a main road,
>> you get nothing. If you do 38mph down te same road at 3 a.m. you get
>> £60 and three points.
>>
>> Which is in fact the worse offence?
>
> The speeding as you are more likely to kill or seriously injure
> someone by going too fast.
> If you hit a car reversing out at 30 mph neither of you is likely to
> get hurt (which is why the police are seldom called to an accident
> btw). A speeder hitting a pedestrian at 38 mph will probably kill them.
>
>>
>> But of course, which is easier to get an easy conviction on?
>
> Fortunately the worse offense of speeding.

I would argue that reversing out into the path of a moving vehicle shows
worse driving ability than slightly exceeding the speed limit.

The seriousness of speeding depends on where and when... Obviously, if
you're driving at 38 mph outside a school at 4 in the afternoon then you are
an idiot and deserve everything you get.
OTOH, if you are driving down an urban dual-carriageway with a 30 limit at
4am when there is clearly no pedestrians or other vehicles around (I have a
local road in mind here, it's well lit, and wide with good wide pavements.
You can see anyone likely to walk out into the road, or other vehicles from
about 1/4 mile away.) at 38 mph, you are posing very little danger to
anyone.
--
Regards,
Chris.
(Remove Elvis's shoes to email me)

"ChrisM" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In message [email protected],
> dennis@home <[email protected]> Proclaimed from the tallest
> tower:
>
>> "The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>> On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:08:30 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <[email protected]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Chris wrote:
>>>>>> Martin² wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you
>>>>>>> busy driving (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the
>>>>>>> conversation, while person on the other end of a mobile phone
>>>>>>> will start saying "Hello, hello, are you still there..." thus
>>>>>>> distracting you further.
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> Martin
>>>>>> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
>>>>>> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
>>>>>> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to
>>>>>> keep his eyes on the road at all times.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Chris
>>>>> I used hands free quite a bit. I used to say 'hang on, got a
>>>>> traffic situation coming up, wait till I get round this roundabout'
>>>>>
>>>>> Having mindless babble coming at you is something you get use to
>>>>> if yu listen to eh radio: its the other person going 'hello, are
>>>>> you there?' as you skilfully control a power slide and weave your
>>>>> way passed assorted zombies siting looking stupid, putting on
>>>>> their lipstick, or wiping the sick off their children's mouths..
>>>>
>>>> Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think it is time the
>>>> police cracked down on mobile users whilst they are driving I never
>>>> have my phone switched on while I am driving and the only reason I
>>>> have take with me is in case of a brake down or some other
>>>> emergency.
>>>
>>> That's obviously right FOR YOU, but don't underestimate the pitch of
>>> concentration and the ability to be simply rude to callers if the
>>> traffic demands it that comes after years of high mileage driving.
>>>
>>> I WISH the police instead of prosecuting for technical offences,
>>> would actually prosecute people who DO have accidents.
>>
>> The police do prosecute if there is evidence.
>> It is easier to collect the evidence for speeding.
>> I wish they would do "speeders" for the correct offence when they are
>> snapped.. driving without due care and attention.
>> If you deliberately drive past a camera too fast, that is speeding.
>> If you don't see the camera that is without due care.
>>
>>> As it is, if you reverse out into a car coming along a main road,
>>> you get nothing. If you do 38mph down te same road at 3 a.m. you get
>>> £60 and three points.
>>>
>>> Which is in fact the worse offence?
>>
>> The speeding as you are more likely to kill or seriously injure
>> someone by going too fast.
>> If you hit a car reversing out at 30 mph neither of you is likely to
>> get hurt (which is why the police are seldom called to an accident
>> btw). A speeder hitting a pedestrian at 38 mph will probably kill them.
>>
>>>
>>> But of course, which is easier to get an easy conviction on?
>>
>> Fortunately the worse offense of speeding.
>
> I would argue that reversing out into the path of a moving vehicle shows
> worse driving ability than slightly exceeding the speed limit.

So someone's concentration lapses for 1 second and they miss seeing you is
worse than someone who continuously fails to notice they are speeding for
mile after mile?
What makes you think it isn't the same idiot that is speeding that also
reverses out?
I see that speeders in general are poor drivers and that the more of them
removed from the road the better.

>
> The seriousness of speeding depends on where and when... Obviously, if
> you're driving at 38 mph outside a school at 4 in the afternoon then you
> are an idiot and deserve everything you get.
> OTOH, if you are driving down an urban dual-carriageway with a 30 limit at
> 4am when there is clearly no pedestrians or other vehicles around (I have
> a local road in mind here, it's well lit, and wide with good wide
> pavements. You can see anyone likely to walk out into the road, or other
> vehicles from about 1/4 mile away.) at 38 mph, you are posing very little
> danger to anyone.

But you generate a lot more noise pollution at a time when people are in
bed.
There are lots of reasons for speed limits and safety is just one.
Now behave and obey the speed limits as you obviously don't know why they
are there.

dennis@home wrote:
>
>
> "ChrisM" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> In message [email protected],
>> dennis@home <[email protected]> Proclaimed from the
>> tallest tower:
>>
>>> "The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>>> On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:08:30 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <[email protected]>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Chris wrote:
>>>>>>> Martin² wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you
>>>>>>>> busy driving (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the
>>>>>>>> conversation, while person on the other end of a mobile phone
>>>>>>>> will start saying "Hello, hello, are you still there..." thus
>>>>>>>> distracting you further.
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> Martin
>>>>>>> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
>>>>>>> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
>>>>>>> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to
>>>>>>> keep his eyes on the road at all times.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Chris
>>>>>> I used hands free quite a bit. I used to say 'hang on, got a
>>>>>> traffic situation coming up, wait till I get round this roundabout'
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Having mindless babble coming at you is something you get use to
>>>>>> if yu listen to eh radio: its the other person going 'hello, are
>>>>>> you there?' as you skilfully control a power slide and weave your
>>>>>> way passed assorted zombies siting looking stupid, putting on
>>>>>> their lipstick, or wiping the sick off their children's mouths..
>>>>>
>>>>> Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think it is time the
>>>>> police cracked down on mobile users whilst they are driving I never
>>>>> have my phone switched on while I am driving and the only reason I
>>>>> have take with me is in case of a brake down or some other
>>>>> emergency.
>>>>
>>>> That's obviously right FOR YOU, but don't underestimate the pitch of
>>>> concentration and the ability to be simply rude to callers if the
>>>> traffic demands it that comes after years of high mileage driving.
>>>>
>>>> I WISH the police instead of prosecuting for technical offences,
>>>> would actually prosecute people who DO have accidents.
>>>
>>> The police do prosecute if there is evidence.
>>> It is easier to collect the evidence for speeding.
>>> I wish they would do "speeders" for the correct offence when they are
>>> snapped.. driving without due care and attention.
>>> If you deliberately drive past a camera too fast, that is speeding.
>>> If you don't see the camera that is without due care.
>>>
>>>> As it is, if you reverse out into a car coming along a main road,
>>>> you get nothing. If you do 38mph down te same road at 3 a.m. you get
>>>> £60 and three points.
>>>>
>>>> Which is in fact the worse offence?
>>>
>>> The speeding as you are more likely to kill or seriously injure
>>> someone by going too fast.
>>> If you hit a car reversing out at 30 mph neither of you is likely to
>>> get hurt (which is why the police are seldom called to an accident
>>> btw). A speeder hitting a pedestrian at 38 mph will probably kill them.
>>>
>>>>
>>>> But of course, which is easier to get an easy conviction on?
>>>
>>> Fortunately the worse offense of speeding.
>>
>> I would argue that reversing out into the path of a moving vehicle
>> shows worse driving ability than slightly exceeding the speed limit.
>
> So someone's concentration lapses for 1 second and they miss seeing you
> is worse than someone who continuously fails to notice they are speeding
> for mile after mile?

Who says they failed to notice?

Is it better to watch the road, or the speedo?

> What makes you think it isn't the same idiot that is speeding that also
> reverses out?

Experience and observation.

> I see that speeders in general are poor drivers and that the more of
> them removed from the road the better.
>

No they are not. Some are. Some just know when its safe to go fast and
when it isn't. Somethnmg a spedo watchig pous twat never does till he
smahses into something afte a long skid on black ice.. "I wasn't
exceding the speed limit!!'

Not Nu labers speed limit prehaps, but you were exceeding Nature's..



>>
>> The seriousness of speeding depends on where and when... Obviously, if
>> you're driving at 38 mph outside a school at 4 in the afternoon then
>> you are an idiot and deserve everything you get.
>> OTOH, if you are driving down an urban dual-carriageway with a 30
>> limit at 4am when there is clearly no pedestrians or other vehicles
>> around (I have a local road in mind here, it's well lit, and wide with
>> good wide pavements. You can see anyone likely to walk out into the
>> road, or other vehicles from about 1/4 mile away.) at 38 mph, you are
>> posing very little danger to anyone.
>
> But you generate a lot more noise pollution at a time when people are in
> bed.
> There are lots of reasons for speed limits and safety is just one.

Tax revenue us the other.

> Now behave and obey the speed limits as you obviously don't know why
> they are there.

Neither, it seems, do you..;-)

"The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> dennis@home wrote:
>>
>>
>> "ChrisM" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> In message [email protected],
>>> dennis@home <[email protected]> Proclaimed from the tallest
>>> tower:
>>>
>>>> "The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>>>> On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:08:30 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <[email protected]>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Chris wrote:
>>>>>>>> Martin² wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The other problem is that passenger(s) is (are) aware when you
>>>>>>>>> busy driving (on a junction, etc) and will naturally pause the
>>>>>>>>> conversation, while person on the other end of a mobile phone
>>>>>>>>> will start saying "Hello, hello, are you still there..." thus
>>>>>>>>> distracting you further.
>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>> Martin
>>>>>>>> ...and on the other side of the coin, many drivers constantly turn
>>>>>>>> their heads during a face-to-face conversation to maintain eye
>>>>>>>> contact, whereas a call on a hands free kit allows the driver to
>>>>>>>> keep his eyes on the road at all times.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Chris
>>>>>>> I used hands free quite a bit. I used to say 'hang on, got a
>>>>>>> traffic situation coming up, wait till I get round this roundabout'
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Having mindless babble coming at you is something you get use to
>>>>>>> if yu listen to eh radio: its the other person going 'hello, are
>>>>>>> you there?' as you skilfully control a power slide and weave your
>>>>>>> way passed assorted zombies siting looking stupid, putting on
>>>>>>> their lipstick, or wiping the sick off their children's mouths..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think it is time the
>>>>>> police cracked down on mobile users whilst they are driving I never
>>>>>> have my phone switched on while I am driving and the only reason I
>>>>>> have take with me is in case of a brake down or some other
>>>>>> emergency.
>>>>>
>>>>> That's obviously right FOR YOU, but don't underestimate the pitch of
>>>>> concentration and the ability to be simply rude to callers if the
>>>>> traffic demands it that comes after years of high mileage driving.
>>>>>
>>>>> I WISH the police instead of prosecuting for technical offences,
>>>>> would actually prosecute people who DO have accidents.
>>>>
>>>> The police do prosecute if there is evidence.
>>>> It is easier to collect the evidence for speeding.
>>>> I wish they would do "speeders" for the correct offence when they are
>>>> snapped.. driving without due care and attention.
>>>> If you deliberately drive past a camera too fast, that is speeding.
>>>> If you don't see the camera that is without due care.
>>>>
>>>>> As it is, if you reverse out into a car coming along a main road,
>>>>> you get nothing. If you do 38mph down te same road at 3 a.m. you get
>>>>> £60 and three points.
>>>>>
>>>>> Which is in fact the worse offence?
>>>>
>>>> The speeding as you are more likely to kill or seriously injure
>>>> someone by going too fast.
>>>> If you hit a car reversing out at 30 mph neither of you is likely to
>>>> get hurt (which is why the police are seldom called to an accident
>>>> btw). A speeder hitting a pedestrian at 38 mph will probably kill them.
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> But of course, which is easier to get an easy conviction on?
>>>>
>>>> Fortunately the worse offense of speeding.
>>>
>>> I would argue that reversing out into the path of a moving vehicle shows
>>> worse driving ability than slightly exceeding the speed limit.
>>
>> So someone's concentration lapses for 1 second and they miss seeing you
>> is worse than someone who continuously fails to notice they are speeding
>> for mile after mile?
>
> Who says they failed to notice?
>
> Is it better to watch the road, or the speedo?

The same old cr@p from bad drivers.
Being able to observe the speed limits is a requirement for driving.
If you can't do it then you are a bad driver and should give it up or take
some lessons.

>> What makes you think it isn't the same idiot that is speeding that also
>> reverses out?
>
> Experience and observation.

Really? IME speeders are frequently involved in accidents I come across.
I know because they have previously gone past at excessive speed.


>> I see that speeders in general are poor drivers and that the more of them
>> removed from the road the better.
>>
>
> No they are not. Some are. Some just know when its safe to go fast and
> when it isn't. Somethnmg a spedo watchig pous twat never does till he
> smahses into something afte a long skid on black ice.. "I wasn't exceding
> the speed limit!!'

Speed limits are variable, they are the maximum safe speed up to the legal
limit.
You should know that unless you are a bad driver.

>
> Not Nu labers speed limit prehaps, but you were exceeding Nature's..
>
>
>
>>>
>>> The seriousness of speeding depends on where and when... Obviously, if
>>> you're driving at 38 mph outside a school at 4 in the afternoon then you
>>> are an idiot and deserve everything you get.
>>> OTOH, if you are driving down an urban dual-carriageway with a 30 limit
>>> at 4am when there is clearly no pedestrians or other vehicles around (I
>>> have a local road in mind here, it's well lit, and wide with good wide
>>> pavements. You can see anyone likely to walk out into the road, or other
>>> vehicles from about 1/4 mile away.) at 38 mph, you are posing very
>>> little danger to anyone.
>>
>> But you generate a lot more noise pollution at a time when people are in
>> bed.
>> There are lots of reasons for speed limits and safety is just one.
>
> Tax revenue us the other.

How can it be? If you don't speed there is no revenue.

>
>> Now behave and obey the speed limits as you obviously don't know why they
>> are there.
>
> Neither, it seems, do you..;-)

You are just another bad driver trying to excuse himself.
Bad luck all you did is confirm that you are a bad driver.

Martin² wrote:

> You only turn you head when you had a good look and know it's safe, just
> pure self preservation !

If only this were true. Many people simply _have_ to make eye contact
when talking.

> Otherwise there would be millions of accidents every day.

Millions of near misses, and almost-accidents, anyway. Oh look...