

To think that most people would agree that driving on the phone is stupid

(95 Posts)
PseudoBadger Sat 22-Jun-13 22:48:07

Why then, do I see so very many people doing it on every journey I take? Does no one actually give a shit?

Nottalotta Sat 22-Jun-13 22:50:27

They don't give a shit. Sure they would if they crashed and killed/maimed people/themselves/friends etc. Not only are people talking on the phone (bad enough) but texting and facebooking!!! Feckin morons.

HeySoulSister Sat 22-Jun-13 22:50:29

stupid|? its illegal

WorraLiberty Sat 22-Jun-13 22:51:29


I was nearly run over on a crossing the other day by a twat sending a text.

He saw me and started to slow down as the lights went read, but didn't fully stop the car and I had to run forward to avoid being hit.

He had both arms resting on the steering wheel...and his phone in both hands.

Stupid bastard.

PseudoBadger Sat 22-Jun-13 22:53:21

I know it's illegal! But when I see approximately 1 in 5 people doing it I start to doubt reality.

specialsubject Sat 22-Jun-13 22:54:49

it actually seems to be getting more prevalent since it was made illegal. I had some stupid cow drive after me when I yelled at her for driving with phone in one hand and burger in the other. I was on foot, she was in a traffic jam, so I just walked away.

hopefully she has since driven into a tree.

never a policeman around when you need one.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman Sat 22-Jun-13 22:59:50

I was a passenger in dd's car recently, the van in front was driving irratically, as she passed him I could see he had a book, opened and propped on the steering wheel in front of him.

Mintyy Sat 22-Jun-13 23:04:21

I also find it astonishing. Saw a Mum who could so easily be a Mumsnetter driving up my road (which has a primary school and two nurseries on it) whilst texting the other day. I wanted to fucking smash her Lexus with a hammer.

PseudoBadger Sat 22-Jun-13 23:06:00

Everyone thinks it'll never happen to them.

I am amazed by the amount of people on the phone in the car.

I saw someone messing on an eBay app whole their phone was on the cradle on slow moving traffic th other day.

I get quite emotional about the innocent potential victims if their extreme arrogance.

Do I mean arrogance?

Sparklingbrook Sat 22-Jun-13 23:12:46

Yes, I see it all the time. Also the people that have managed to at least stop to answer the call but on a bend/brow of a hill/in the middle of the road with their hazards flashing. hmm

Startail Sat 22-Jun-13 23:13:18

Making it illegal has just made life round here more dangerous.

Now delivery drivers wait until they are off the main road (where there are often police cars) and use their phones on our single track, blind bend, lane instead. angry

I always see Mums on their phones at school pick up, driving through the pick up line in the, car park, rolling through the stop sign at the school entrance, someones child is going to get hit by one of these idiot parents.

nowaydude Sun 23-Jun-13 08:23:37

YANBU angry

I still don't get whay so many people do it either. Bunch of idiots.

mummymccar Sun 23-Jun-13 08:29:12

YANBU - I was nearly run over on a pelican crossing the other day by a woman driving over the speed limit on the phone. Thank god I didn't have my toddler with me, she would've smashed right into the stroller if I had.

scissy Sun 23-Jun-13 08:36:29

YANBU. As a non-driver this really irks me, I nearly got hit by a texting driver once on a crossing angry he then gave me evils as if I was doing something wrong!
There was an article on the bbc last year which included a bunch of random text messages, turns out they were what people were sending from their phones just before they had an accident that killed themselves or someone else. Sobering reading.

Tee2072 Sun 23-Jun-13 08:40:56

I don't see it much in Belfast, actually, I think because for awhile the cops were being really vigilant about catching people and fining them. The fine is just under £100, I think.

I don't drive any more, but when I did, I never did this. Isn't this why there's voice mail?

OnTheNingNangNong Sun 23-Jun-13 09:15:40

It's all to common round here. You regularly see the ambulance or fire crews shouting at twats on the phone while driving.

It pisses me off as I'm sure there's very few urgent calls that need to be made while driving.

livinginwonderland Sun 23-Jun-13 09:20:35

The police around here will yell at you and pull you over if they catch you. Key word being IF. There aren't enough policemen around and there are too many idiots who would rather talk on the phone than drive safely.

NicknameIncomplete Sun 23-Jun-13 09:34:14

My dd thinks i am a bit strange because if we are walking along the road or waiting to cross a road i will point out those driving while using their phones.

Why would you want to put your life & others in danger?

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman Sun 23-Jun-13 09:38:26


No call is that important, it can wait until the driver find somewhere to pull over and stop the car.

Sianilaa Sun 23-Jun-13 09:44:15

See far too many people doing it. A woman in a carpark was texting and driving and nearly ran me and my children over. I took a photo of her on my own phone, caught in the act as she didnt even notice. She started screaming abuse at me when she realised what I was doing though. I wish I had taken that photo to the police but didn't think they'd do anything about it.

BringBackBod Sun 23-Jun-13 09:53:10

What are the consequences if caught? (non driver here)
Whatever they are, they need to be tougher.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 09:56:22

i totally agree with everyone here however and i'm sure i'll be flamed for this, I doubt very much that all the drivers that has posted so far have NEVER made a call/text while driving. including me. have you ever applied lippy? eaten a bar of chocolate? had a coffee while driving? have seen many work vans in morning on way to work with drivers eating a breakfast roll and having a coffee while driving. that's just as dangerous.

ICantRememberWhatSheSaid Sun 23-Jun-13 10:00:27

I went on a driver awareness course (34 mph in a 30 mph zone) and when we were asked to raise our hands if we considered ourselves better than average drivers the whole class put their hand up. grin

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 10:03:10

grin exactly!

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 10:03:54

34 in a 30 zone? Christ that was harsh!

cozietoesie Sun 23-Jun-13 10:08:40

I just wonder, leaving aside the phoning while driving issue, what people seem to feel the need to phone about all the time.


hackmum Sun 23-Jun-13 10:12:15


I have never done any of those things while driving. I wouldn't even consider doing those things while driving. Why do people think it's normal? When you're driving a car, you should be concentrating on driving a car. Not a difficult concept to grasp, I'd have thought.

Sparklingbrook Sun 23-Jun-13 10:14:08

I can hand on heart say I have never used the phone while driving. I put the phone in my bag behind the driver's seat. I may have eaten some Minstrels/Maltesers/Revels as they are safer than a bar of chocolate IMO. I don't drink coffee or anything while driving either.

I can't imagine texting while driving shock

I also wonder what all these important calls are. confused

Itsaboatjack Sun 23-Jun-13 10:15:42

A few years back my dh was with our dd and nearly got hit on a zebra crossing by a twat on his phone. My dh yelled at him, driver yelled some abuse back and then raced off to join the back of a traffic jam, while dh casually followed him up the road tapped on the window of a police car that happened to parked there and reported the twat driver while the driver was stuck in traffic and couldn't go anywhere. Twat driver got done.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 10:15:58

hackmum its not a difficult concept to grasp i just doubt very much people are being honest. if you are, fair play. but i have had a can while driving (red bull before i'm accused of driving under the influence), read directions on a letter of appointment, answered calls etc. the only thing i do is wait til its a straight stretch of road or i will pull in where safe. why is it legal for the police to be on the phone? may invest in a car kit actually. don't want to add to my 2 speeding points shock

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 10:16:55

but sparkling the idea is that it takes your concentration away from driving .. so why isn't eating while driving banned or drinking or even smoking?!

GibberTheMonkey Sun 23-Jun-13 10:19:53

I was crossing a road at the lights with a friend and our two four year olds last month.
Driver on the phone drive straight through the lights.
One step further forward and our children would have been hit by that inconsiderate bastard.

And no I've never done those things as I don't have a licence and when I do pass so many years of being a pedestrian has taught me not to act like a selfish twat on the road because its dangerous.

Sparklingbrook Sun 23-Jun-13 10:20:47

I can delve into my bag of Minstrels without taking my eyes off the road though. smile

Changing CDs shouldn't be attempted though. I don't get why drinking isn't banned though-that involves concentration.

Also Sat Navs. How is having a screen attached to your windscreen legal? I chuck mine in the door pocket and just listen to the voice.

ShowOfHands Sun 23-Jun-13 10:46:10

I have never done any of that stuff but I passed my test 2 months ago so I still drive to the letter of the law, hands in the 10 and 2 position, speed perfect, signals consistent etc. It is pretty amazing how few people drive within the law actually. To take dd to school, I go through a 20mph area, then a 30mph, then a 40, then national speed limit (60 in this case). Very rarely is the person in front of me not pulling away from when I'm doing the speed limit bang on and the person behind me is usually on my tail. I usually get overtaken in the 30mph zone and the overtaker zooms off. 20mph is nearly always ignored ime, 30 people do at least 35-40 and as soon as the national speed limit signs are visible in the distance, people speed up so they're doing 60 as they hit them, 65-70 I'd guess within seconds of passing them. The pedestrian crossings, schools, traffic lights and roundabouts aren't given due care by at least 50% of drivers I reckon. I see so many near misses, people cut up, gesticulating and honking horns/flashing lights.

The other problem is that even if you know it's illegal and you get a hands free set, I don't think you're safe. I won't go in the car with MIL as she has a hands free ear thing and generally it goes like this:

<phone rings, MIL jumps and the car swerves slightly>

<MIL presses a button on her phone, starts shouting>


<MIL picks up her phone and starts pressing buttons and peering at the screen>

<MIL fails to see the 30mph sign and continues doing 50 whilst veering towards the verge>

"WAIT. ARE YOU THERE? CAN YOU HEAR ME? Oh you're there now, I can hear you. Hang on, the radio's still loud, let me turn it off"

<MIL starts looking at the radio whilst still muttering about Ken Bruce and sails over a pedestrian crossing without looking>

"What? OMG!"

<MIL is so shocked by the news on the phone that her hand is clamped over her mouth instead of on the steering wheel and she's staring at her passenger with a 'wait till you hear' look. Meanwhile, the car is still hurtling, barely attended, down the road>

"Oh I've just sailed past my turning, hang on, I'll do a three point turn... what was that, oh I don't know it's in my diary, I'll check later. Oh wait, it's only in the passenger footwell, let me get it"

<MIL leans down and reaches over, no idea at this point where the road is, what she's doing and who she's knocking over>

This goes on and on and on...

cozietoesie Sun 23-Jun-13 11:11:51

I'm not surprised you won't go in the car with her. My Mum was a bit like that and it's a constant amazement to me that I made it to adulthood.

Hissy Sun 23-Jun-13 11:19:47

Someone I know was hit by another driver, got a mouthful of attitude. My friend says she's sure the woman was on the phone.

The police/insurance companies do check records to see if the phone was in use.

I hope she gets the book hurled at her!

claraschu Sun 23-Jun-13 11:20:35

What about having squabbling children in the car while driving. That is far more distracting than eating something. I never ever phone while driving (it's not illegal where I live), but have often spent a boring drive munching away (especially on a wide straight US freeway). If you are doing a long drive, there are times when it is fine.

Glancing at a SatNav is safer than being confused, or doing what I used to see people doing and reading directions or maps.

Making a quick call if you are stuck in a traffic jam isn't dangerous, if you are sensible and don't take your eyes off the road (I wouldn't do it myself).
The problem is that people don't use common sense.

Sparklingbrook Sun 23-Jun-13 11:22:05

I can't glance at a screen while I am driving. It's offputting.

YY the Police can find your call/text history even if you have deleted it.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 11:26:18

YY claraschu that's exactly it ... not using common sense.

PseudoBadger Sun 23-Jun-13 11:34:57


I believe if you have an accident whilst doing those things you could be charged with driving without due and and attention or whatever the offence is called.

PseudoBadger Sun 23-Jun-13 11:36:20

Anyway I hate this attitude of everyone else does it so it's ok. What happened to people having their own conscience and doing the right thing because it's the right thing?

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 11:38:00

i would assume and hope so Pseudo. thing is some people can actually multi task safely and if you use common sense and not do it in heavy traffic or a place that needs total concentration as opposed to motor way in middle of night then singling out those that use phone only when driving is hypocritical. the person and the surroundings are to be taken into account. however its the law and if caught so be it. nothing you can do. but i would like more penalties and action taken against those not concentrating full stop whether its turning around to kids in back seat, applying make up, eating a roll ... not just those on a phone.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 11:39:17

i didn't say it was ok. i said that i didn't think people were being totally honest, admitted I do it (safely as I can in my eyes), and pointed out using a phone shouldn't be the only offense.

Tee2072 Sun 23-Jun-13 12:24:02

Mythbusters compared mobile phone use while driving versus driving drunk.

Mobile phone was worse than driving while intoxicated.

GibberTheMonkey Sun 23-Jun-13 12:42:07

My mil was driven into the back of. They were in a queue of about 6 cars waiting to turn right.
A lorry driver on the phone drove into the back of them without breaking. Even with decent gaps all the cars ended up shunted.
My eldest ds then 3 was in the back of the car as I was in hospital and my gmil was in the passenger seat.
Luckily it was an estate car as the rear end was crumpled and was a right off.
I just asked him if he remembered it and he said yes 'it was bang bang bang' complete with jerky actions 'and I got to sit in a fire engine'
He's 10 now and remembers it clearly

Stupid twat lorry driver was prosecuted but I don't know what happened as life was hectic at that time.

DomesticCEO Sun 23-Jun-13 12:50:10

fluckered, interesting that you mention getting an in-car kit. I was watching a programme the other day about the Transport Research Laboratory that has done studies on driving while on the phone and hands free kits and using a mobile normally in the car - there is virtually NO difference in the dreadful affect they have on people's driving and response times.

In other words hands free kits are just as dangerous.

It is the act of making or taking a call that is dangerous and takes your attention away from the road.

Hands free kits should be banned too IMO.

Dh's company now has a blanket ban on making/taking calls on mobile phones while driving. Very sensible.

NonnyMuss Sun 23-Jun-13 12:53:22

All those other things are also illegal, they're classed as driving without due care and attention. If you get caught doing those you can still be prosecuted but not given a fixed penalty for them.

Driving using a mobile was made into a separate offence so the police can issue fixed penalties for it without having to prosecute every dickheaddriver they catch doing it (more costly and harder to enforce).

<not a lawyer, just paraphrasing my understanding of it, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong>

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 13:10:20

Domestic I would only consider a hands free kit as that is legal. don't see a difference in them tbh, not in the way you say they are both as dangerous but to me they are of no advantage only that they are legal.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 13:11:23

its also an easy target to fill quotas for the police and issue points without doing their job.

TheDeadlyDonkey Sun 23-Jun-13 13:18:17

I keep seeing a local school bus driver using his mobile whilst driving a full bus.
I've reported him to the bus company, but they say that the driver would never do that hmm
Next time I'll ring 101 and report it that way!

littlewhitebag Sun 23-Jun-13 13:58:01

The penalty is £60 fine and 3 points on your license. I know because I got done for this earlier this year. I was going to pick up a child(work related) and was off the main road and stopped at traffic lights. I briefly called her gran to say to bring her down from her flat. Caught. I admitted to it there and then. I also had the embarrassment of being processed in the panda in front of clients. I will never, ever do it again. It was not my proudest moment.

RoooneyMara Sun 23-Jun-13 14:10:42

I rarely use my phone, but occasionally I have been called while driving and answered it to say, 'sorry I'm driving, I'll call you back' and then hung up.

Is this acceptable? Or should I wait till I can stop before picking it up at all?

Also what do you do when you are REALLY stuck in an absolutely still traffic jam, and you're going to be late to pick up the children from school - is it Ok to use it briefly while the car is stationary?

Meglet Sun 23-Jun-13 14:16:28

yanbu. I see parents doing it on the school run. That's those parents crossed off for future playdates angry.

They'd all get a lifetime ban if it was up to me, there is no excuse for doing it. I was driving back from the hospice when Dad was dying and my phone went, I was expecting the call to say he was dead, but there was no way I was going to touch my phone until I was home and parked.

I did shout at my neighbour when she drove off on her phone, she put it down and has never made eye contact with me since. Nor have I seen her on her phone again.

PseudoBadger Sun 23-Jun-13 15:24:33

I live next to a school, a zebra crossing, a mini roundabout and pedestrian traffic lights. All places where no one should be on a phone. But without fail every time I leave my house and am minded to take notice, I see drivers on their phones.

cozietoesie Sun 23-Jun-13 16:15:15

Why do people not just simply turn their phones off when they get into a car ? Then they won't have any angst at all about answering or not answering them.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 16:21:33

I hope everyone is reporting these crimes ... taking number plates and what not, instead of moaning about it.



But what's the benefit in doing this, either to you or them? Just don't answer, and if it's important they can leave a message.

"Why do people not just simply turn their phones off when they get into a car ?"

I don't get all that many calls sad so don't generally think to switch it off. If it does go off I ignore it.

PseudoBadger Sun 23-Jun-13 16:42:04

Fluckered I feel perhaps it doesn't bother you that much.

littlewhitebag Sun 23-Jun-13 16:47:53

notgoodnotbad You can't pick up at all. See my post up a bit. I was on the phone for literally 10 seconds and was stationary at red lights, in a smallish side street. Still caught. It is really, really not worth it. I will never do it again.

DomesticCEO Sun 23-Jun-13 16:54:47

fluckered, I don't get your point - why buy it just because it's legal?? If you still think it's dangerous don't bother! I just leave my phone in my bag in the car then it's not tempting to answer it. I do leave it near me only because I did once had a car accident and was grateful to have the phone right next to me to call the emergency services.

As for reporting these people, how am I supposed to report them if I'm in the car myself??? confused

cozietoesie Sun 23-Jun-13 17:10:04

That's true notgoodnotbad. I sometimes forget to switch it off - but I'm equally resistant to a phone ringing (mobile or landline) so I'll just ignore.

littlewhitebag Sun 23-Jun-13 17:31:14

sorry notgoodnotbad I see you were commenting on what someone else said not what you do. My mistake.

My mum does say though, "I didn't like to phone you in case you were driving." confused

Scholes34 Sun 23-Jun-13 18:01:42

I always amazed when I see a driver on a mobile phone . . . who has a passenger in the car with them. Why can't the passenger make/take the call?

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 18:25:21

Pseudobadger when I am driving I don't notice what other drivers are doing in their car but I have reported a van that has that number "How is my driving" once when he was veering left and right over the middle line. I presumed he was on the phone. I used my phone to dial in the number and the number plate. So like wise, I am saying that instead of moaning about it here I hope everyone is reporting all these acts of dangerous driving.

Melawen Sun 23-Jun-13 19:04:07

scholes34 people should never use the phone in the car, but.....if I was a passenger I couldn't take the call anyway because I'm deaf! wink

DomesticCEO Sun 23-Jun-13 19:10:02

fluckered, I'm assuming you're joking or that you were stationary when you phoned the number in? hmm

If it was a joke it wasn't a funny one.

Scholes34 Sun 23-Jun-13 19:12:13

Melawen - I assume you're not saying that in your case it would be okay for the driver to take the call.

bigbluebus Sun 23-Jun-13 19:39:10

I find it unbelievable the number of people who think it is ok to drive whilst on the phone. I have seen neighbours setting off from home with their phones attached to their ears. Why not just delay setting off until you have finished the call ? - and we live on a bend, so they are steering around a bend and then a right/left hand turn at the T-junction down the road, with only one hand on the steering wheel.

And as for lorry drivers using phones - how can you drive that many tonnes of metal without being completely in control?

I remember a few months ago, I was driving DS to an interview at 6th form college when my mobile rang. I told him to check who it was, but it said 'private number' so I told him to answer anyway, just saying "hello". It was only the attendance officer from his school ringing to find out where he was (I had told the deputy head a couple of days earlier that he was going for the interview). The attendance officer must have though DS had bunked off for the day and taken my mobile so they couldn't contact me grin. Luckily I was dropping him back at school after the interview, so prevented further

TheSmallClanger Sun 23-Jun-13 19:49:31

I like the fact that driving gives me an excuse to ignore my phone, and most other distractions. I love being in my focused driving bubble.
I don't have a satnav and I don't eat in the car when it's moving, because I am very anal about where I eat.

Round here, you have to ask taxi drivers not to twat about with their phones while they drive. The roads are small and twisty.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 20:10:50

Domestic I dialled in the number and car reg into my phone as if I were dialling it but didn't phone. but I would still be classed as using my phone to take down the info.

PseudoBadger Sun 23-Jun-13 20:12:17

So you basically compiled a text?

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 20:18:38

no dialled the number and hit call

PseudoBadger Sun 23-Jun-13 20:24:55

I personally wouldn't take down details whilst driving. I would if walking, but I'm usually wrestling 2 dog leads and a pushchair.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 20:26:23

so what is the point of signs on motorways advertising the lo call number for dangerous driving? or the "how is my driving?" on the back of lorries? hmm

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 20:28:00

one morning on a busy motorway I rang the number to report dangerous driving as a guy was weaving across 3 lanes of traffic at an awful speed. the guards didn't ask if I was driving. no point in ringing when I got to my destination another half hour away. and I saw the guards waiting for him at the lights at the end of motorway so I think I did right.

CalamityJ Sun 23-Jun-13 20:28:52

I saw a woman do this at traffic lights as I was waiting to cross the road. I glared at her as I was waiting and she spotted me and gestured "what?" I did that old fashioned fingers/hand mime for putting the phone down and she pointed to the traffic lights basically suggesting as they were red it was OK for her to be talking on the phone. Of course I couldn't really mime "well you weren't sat at a red light when I saw you driving up to the lights talking on the phone" so I gestured for her to put the phone down again as I was crossing and shook my head in that patronising teacher/parent kind of way. Let's say her final gesture was not one of agreeing with me! As a passenger I see this all the time and if stuck in traffic I do glare at them and gesture them to put the phone down. I can't say I'm thanked for being a busy body but hopefully they'll think twice in future.

PseudoBadger Sun 23-Jun-13 20:30:12

Are you in Ireland Fluckered?

GrimmaTheNome Sun 23-Jun-13 20:36:05


If there's a passenger they can ring it, obviously.

fluckered Sun 23-Jun-13 21:12:53

and if no passenger? am mostly on my own.

PseudoBadger Sun 23-Jun-13 21:23:25

Then don't do it!

Chanatan Sun 23-Jun-13 21:27:08

About time a short ban was introduced for driving whilst using a mobile phone,imo opinion its the only thing that will stop people.

You can buy a bluetooth hands free kit that sits on your dash for about £20 so there is no excuse.


Although studies do show that it's not just the use of hands that is an issue, but the concentration on something external to the vehicle. At least if someone is in the car with you they see you're negotiating a junction and keep quiet unless it's my DD who can't stop talking for 5 seconds. I'm not sure why hands-free kits are legal given the evidence against them.

SirChenjin Sun 23-Jun-13 22:38:47

This drives me absolutely insane - I see it all the time angry. 2 of my neighbours do it, and one is a police officer (a bit of a dickhead regardless of his job). My son used to be picked up from school and taken to his afterschool club in a taxi, and the driver once used his mobile phone - when I called the taxi firm they were not really that interested, so I called the police. Their reaction? There were no witnesses, it was my son's word against his, and they couldn't really do anything other than 'have a word'.

I really think it's become so widespread - a bit like speeding - that people don't take it seriously anymore. Hopefully the new traffic regs will start forcing people to think about not picking up the phone when they're driving. One of the sensible things this Govt has done.

Greenkit Sun 23-Jun-13 22:42:03

Using mobile phones when driving: the law




Penalties for using your phone while driving

If you’re caught using a hand-held phone while driving or riding, you can get an automatic fixed penalty notice. You’ll get 3 penalty points on your licence and a fine of £60.


New drivers

If you get 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing your test, you’ll lose your licence.

When you can use a phone in your vehicle



are safely parked

Using hands-free devices when driving


I think they are raising the penalty to £100

SirChenjin Sun 23-Jun-13 22:48:10

Yes, penalties for using a mobile whilst driving, middle lane hogging, tailgating etc are all set to incur higher fines and number of points - BBC article here

The fact is though, that unless there are more police on the road to enforce the new laws people will still get away with it.

RoooneyMara Mon 24-Jun-13 09:28:34

Ok. I think for some of us we need a way of coping with certain situations, so that on the rare occasions we feel we should use our phones, we can go 'Ah I know how to deal with this'.

Because probably the less often it happens, the less equipped we are to deal with it.

I resent people driving on the phone. It makes me angry - especially when they do it a lot.

But I have been stuck in traffic while going to collect my children and then what? you're stationary - I think I turned my engine off while I rang the school. But I wasn't parked as I couldn't park. There had been an accident and I was going to be very late despite setting off early.

I felt obliged to let them know. So...I think next time I'll rationalise a bit more...what will happen if I don't call? They will try and call me, they won't get an answer, they'll then call my mother. Who will panic and start out on her bicycle from 10 miles away.

But then, at least I won't get a fine. Obviously if the traffic is moving, I'll be able to pull over and park but then I'll be even later.

Do you see the issue? I'd never do it while racing along. Occasionally to pick up and say 'I'll call back' - the benefit being that then they know I am alive and on my way. But in that instance I could generally stop within a few minutes anyway.

SirChenjin Mon 24-Jun-13 09:31:31

Buy a hands free kit?

RoooneyMara Mon 24-Jun-13 09:35:10

Yes. Good plan, but I'm not sure how you fit them? Or if it's worth it for like two calls a year. I'm rubbish with phones, I very rarely use the mobile.

I will look at hands free kits. Thankyou.

SirChenjin Mon 24-Jun-13 09:37:36

Halfords do all sorts of minor fittings eg headlight bulbs, that type of thing. I'm sure they would be able to do it for you. Even if you only make 2 calls a year, that could potentially be a £200 fine - I can't imagine Halfords (or any other garage for that matter) would charge anything like that for fitting a hands free kit.

RoooneyMara Mon 24-Jun-13 09:45:24

Thankyou very much, I will go in and ask.

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