6 points for using mobile phone

Phaedra wrote:

I reported a complete moron taxi driver to the police on Wednesday, weren’t interested as I had no video footage. I also rang the taxi company with his car ID number and his badge and reg details, again weren’t interested in the least ? I was stuck behind him doing 22 in a 30 then 40mph limit, constantly going over the centre line, over hatched off areas etc. then onto a busy 60mph dual carriageway doing 40mph and still driving along with a cigarette in his left hand and adjusting his mobile phone sat-nav in the centre of the dash with it. He also had a second mobile on the right side of the dash and was constantly scrolling through photos on it with his right hand then picking it up and showing it to his passenger in the front seat. As I said, complete moron.

I had a similar thing recently. Also a cab driver messing around with his phone. The Police cannot do anything without video footage, or unless they see them themselves, or the idiot has an accident, as it is just here-say and would be impossible to bring a successful conviction.

kezo wrote:

You forgot the police talking in their walkie talkie thingy ma bobs ?

Not quite the same though. They are lapel mounted, not hand held, and they are highly trained drivers.

belfast4 wrote:

I think anyone caught drink driving should have there car taken from them, and banned for 10 years. Far to many think it is ok to do this, don’t care who owns the car they will soon learn not to do it again. Someone can get caught tonight arrested, then out driving tomorrow again, appear in court about march time banned for 12 months. Do a course and back behind the wheel in 9 months.

A 12 month ban would only happen if the driver was only very slightly over the limit. They will also incur a fine and costs. Depending on how much over the limit the person is, the initial ban can be as much as 3 years and can come with a community order or even imprisonment. Anyone caught twice within 10 years gets an automatic minimum 3 year ban, but it can be as much as 5 years. Of course, one of the biggest penalties that they face is when they get an insurance quote when they eventually get their licence back!

Rly…if you touch your phone while driving its 6 points.

Its the law. If you want to argue it in court, by all means, that is your right.

You wont lose your license over 6 points, or your car.

If you choose to break the law, you get 6 points if caught.

Ioniq wrote:

If you want to argue it in court, by all means, that is your right.

That’s true, but comes at a great risk. If you wish to plead not guilty to an offence you will go to trial in a Magistrates court. To stand any chance of winning you will need to instruct a good lawyer – and they aren’t cheap (those who self represent will find it much harder to get a not guilty verdict). If found guilty, in addition to getting a bigger fine than you might have done by not contesting it, you will incur much higher court costs. To give an example, guilty pleas usually have £85 court costs. Not guilty pleas, if found guilty, come with court costs of at least £775 and possibly more. To contest these things you have to be 100% confident that you were not guilty and have evidence to prove it.

on the spectrum wrote:

I am in the belief that if you need to do anything in the car when driving that takes your eyes off the road then you need to stop somewhere to sort it out. There is also the fact that turning you head around to look at Kids in the back could cause an accident which many have must have taken place.There is also the case where passengers talking and driver turning to look at them which is a no no there is so much tech as well in cars now even watching youtube which to be honest is ok when stopped but not driving but I bet there will be people that will do it.

Very true. I also believe that smoking and vaping whilst driving should be made illegal. It is when you have kids in the car, but I believe that it should be illegal full stop. I know that it’s technically covered by the ‘cover all’ motoring offences if your driving is impaired, but the number of drivers that I see drifting badly in the lane (or even out of it) and when I pass them they are smoking.

Southamman wrote:

Sir Alex Issigones, designer of the original mini, didn’t even want a radio fitted as it takes away concentration from driving

Judging by the appalling standards of driving that you see on our roads these days, I think he was probably right! Whilst I’m all for technology and driving aids, some things have gone too far and now are dangerous. Touch screen controls and daytime running lights that don’t illuminate the rear lights are two classic examples.

Elliot wrote:

My wife was driving home from work the other night and was following a car that was veering all over the place. She called the Police who asked her if she could follow it and give them a live commentary as to where it was heading. 5 mins later a Police car overtook her and pulled the car over. She got a phone call later thanking her for the help as the driver was well over the drink drive limit and could have killed someone.

Well done your wife. When they are driving like that it’s usually due to drink, drugs or, what I might diplomatically describe as ‘those who didn’t pass their test in the UK’!

I would assume the other options offered to the OP was 6 points or 2 weeks in a cell, as they haven’t come back to tell us.

Maybe they will be out soon and back to tell us.

Slimtrim wrote:

I’m sure the op is inclined to know the consequences but lets be kind….we’re all human! Let’s not cast the first stone.

Excellent point. Whilst using a mobile phone whilst driving is downright stupid, unnecessary and dangerous, some of the punishments suggested lack a sense of proportion. There are hundreds of more serious offences that carry much stiffer penalties, and rightly so. Of course, if someone had been injured or, god forbid, killed as a result of the phone usage, the punishment would have been far greater than 6 points.