Another senseless tragedy

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Originally Posted by trout1105

The very best "Do Not Disturb" method is to turn the phone off or put the bloody thing in your pocket and IGNORE it whilst driving.
The fines and penalties for using a phone whilst driving should be on a par with those for drink driving as both are easily avoided via abstinence and they are both extremely dangerous.
If you are unable to drive without using your phone then take don't be a thoughtless jerk and take the bus/train/taxi route instead.

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Hardly [emoji41]

One can’t tar everyone with the same brush. Talking hands free is no different to holding an active conversation with passengers in the vehicle.

Not all persons are incompetent or unable to multi-task in a safe manner.

Not on public roads, but at work, I have to handle 2 two way radios (different frequencies) and a mobile on hands free. It’s very intensive, but can be done and is almost entirely done by feel rather than visual.

Like anything, it’s a acquired skill and extremely important not to lose focus...

My only complaint for phone users in vehicles is those holding the device to their ear..

How about jamming devices at known black spots.

Any movement interlink would disadvantage passengers who wish to carry on conversations or text while husband drives ( like my wife).

So a jamming device with signs warning like in NSW with speed cameras. Downside may be if some one has the phone drop out in a dead zone when there is an accident, but then aren't nearly all rural roads dead zones?

Regards Philip A

Why? So people using hands free can’t have a call?
Or so people in the jammed zone can’t call for help in an emergency?

Perhaps just more policing, bigger penalties (forfeiture of phone as well as points and fine)....

Most new vehicles have Bluetooth and GPS units with phone connections so there is reducing need to actually hold a phone while making a call in a car.

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Perhaps just more policing, bigger penalties (forfeiture of phone as well as points and fine)....

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fines are not a deterrent.

The deterrent effect of higher fines on recidivism: driving offences
No Cookies | Daily Telegraph

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New research has found that imposing very high fines on repeat driving offenders does nothing to reduce the risk of re-offendingThe five-year study, by the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics, is the larges of its kind in Australia.
It monitored 70,000 people who received court imposed fines for driving offences, finding that the vast majority of re-offenders were men aged between 29 and 36.
The Bureau's Director, Doctor Don Weatherburn, says the review found that contrary to popular opinion, tougher penalties do not act as deterrents
"Imposing very high fines on repeat driving offenders does nothing to reduce the risk of re-offending," he said.
Dr Weatherburn says while all governments see increasing penalties as the easiest option, the best way to control the crime is to increase the risk of being caught.
"So that would mean things like more resources for RBT, more resources for police who are trying to actually create a visible deterrent."

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Fines don't change driver behaviour | Practical Motoring

I'm more in favour of loss of licence, but then people will just drive unlicensed.

Maybe. But losing your phone each time and points may improve it a fair bit

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Originally Posted by Eevo

fines are not a deterrent.

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Maybe they could give your phone number to 100 telemarketers as punishment......

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Hardly [emoji41]

One can’t tar everyone with the same brush. Talking hands free is no different to holding an active conversation with passengers in the vehicle.

[...]

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Agree with all your points, Tombie. Just highlighting this one to add some colour: One of the large oil & gas customers I deal with regularly insists all vendors, contractors etc never use the phone while driving (to talk to them or ANYONE else) when conducting business with them, or while travelling to/from their projects etc - even with hands free.

They insist you pull over, get a safe place to stop, then only return a call. Not saying its good or bad policy, just that it is a policy of one large company.

(...and nothing to do with DND at all. If DND were active one wouldn't even know a call had been made/missed until after a drive ended.)


I survived for years with hands free, no SIRI voice control etc. Managing to control myself and resist using the phone while driving by sheer dint of willpower. ;)

I do, however, enjoy DND now it is available - In much the same way I enjoy seeing the last signal bar disappear after turning off the tarmac and heading for the hills.

Definitely not wedded to my phone and enjoy being unreachable! [biggrin]

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Maybe. But losing your phone each time and points may improve it a fair bit

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possible. something other than financial. loss of phone or loss of licence for 6 months. the lifestyle change that it inflicts hurts more than a financial fine.