Do you use the phone while driving? If so .....

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Wed 22 Sep 2010 19:11
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

... can you explain what mindset you adopt while doing so please? Its just that I am interested in how you can so blatantly break the law in full view of everyone.

So what is it, do you think the law is wrong, its ok for you, its ok as long as you take extra care or what? It really would be interesting reading.

FTF

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Wed 22 Sep 2010 20:52
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - a900ss

I use the phone quite regularly whilst driving. However it is voice activated and hands free as it comes out throught the cars speakers and has a microphone near the rear view mirror. Quite legal.

I guess I'm being a pedant but you don;t make it clear that you mean actually holding the phone in your post.

My wife is a police officer and she gives no slack to anybody caught using a handheld (or in a car without a safety belt - including the rears).

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Wed 22 Sep 2010 22:27
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

Your are right I am referring to illegal use of handhelds, though I have to say that regardless of the mechanism I think it it can be 'difficult' sometimes even when legally speaking to a remote third party who has no idea of your driving situation.

Completely agree with the no slack approach.

Regards

FTF

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 00:00
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - woodster
Fred - I'm with you, but why single out this particular matter? What about all the other blatant breaches? You'll never control some peoples behaviour, they only want the law when they want to use it.
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Thu 23 Sep 2010 00:08
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Bilboman

I'm also fully legal hands-free, voice operated dialling for frequent numbers, etc. (Standard V2C fit in a 2008 Focus) and I keep calls to an absolute minimum and have "trained" my major clients to email me and to keep essential calls very short.

Trying to steer, change gear, indicate, talk, think, respond whilst actually holding a mobile is the height of stupidity, no one can really do it properly, and something has to "give." Studies have shown that in such a situation part of the brain sort of shuts down while another part speeds up as the driver tries to form mental images to accompany the verbal communication. (This is why we inevitably make gestures that the other person will not see whilst talking on the phone.) Yakking whilst driving leads to missed signposts, missed turnings and far, far worse.

I'm all in favour of truly massive fines for this kind of offence - companies providing company cars should also be "done" if they are too mean or short sighted to provide in-car installations, and I would frankly love to see the fine related to the value of the car, with repeat offenders having the car seized: it amazes me when I see that there is no hands free phone fitted to a 40 or 50 grand motor!

Phone earpieces for drivers are banned in Spain, just as listening to a music player through headphones is illegal. I'm surprised they were never banned in Britain...

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 10:16
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Westpig

Using any phone is unwise whilst driving, not just the hand held ones...and there's hypocrisy in the system to suggest otherwise.

As Bilboman has mentioned above, the art of concentration needed in a phone call distracts you from the proper concentration needed to drive.

If people are allowed to select, open the box, change and then replace a CD whilst driving and ditto a pack of cigarettes, what's the problem with picking up a phone and holding it to your ear*?....(* I do accept the changing of gear or turning a sharp corner has problems, but i'm talking about general driving and the lack of concentration etc, rather than the physical handling of the car).

For the record I think that all telephone conversations should be banned when driving, hands free as well...and this is someone who will on a long fast journey will drive without the radio on ...so I can concentrate properly.

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 10:31
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Armstrong Sid
Also, I think a lot of people who drive whilst on the phone don't realise just how much it restricts their capability. They work on the assumption that because they have one hand on the steering wheel and they can see where they are going, therefore they must be ok.

Without realising it, they are hoping and assuming that nothing unexpected will happen on the road which would require a quick out-of-the-ordinary response. In other words, they aren't thinking ahead
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Thu 23 Sep 2010 13:21
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - redviper
I will hold my hands up, Ive done it myself many years ago before it became illegal to do so.


However Im a Idiot for doing so, and and so is the Driver of the Green BMW Estate who, on Sunday (12th Sept) evening around 7-8pm belted up the 3rd lane of the A1 Northbound just before the roadworks at Leeming and then cut across from Lane 3 (that was merging at lane into lane 2) into lane 1 as everyone was slowing down for the average 50 limit..whilst gassing away on a mobile phone.

You sir are a idiot (if you are reading this), and you are nothing more than docile good for nothing. (and thats putting it really nicely).
I had the good fortune that I had seen you coming up Lane 3 and ensure I was no where near you becasue if you had hit my car I would have taken you to the cleaners, and I hope you have the book thrown at you by the law.



Im also a idiot becasue Ive done it before, but i know how much of a danger it is, to others and will not ever do it again. nothing is that important that it cant wait 10 minutes while you pull OFF THE MOTORWAY and find somewhere to park.

Why some people think that they are above the law, is beyond me becasue you are not, and obvously have no common sence for thinking so.

Edited by redviper on 23/09/2010 at 13:26

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Fri 22 Oct 2010 15:30
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Davies91

I completely agree with your point on the phone restricting the driver's capability.

I'm a delivery driver for a supermarket. There's a phone in each of our vans mounted on the dashboard. Completely legal to drive when using it, it's linked up to the speakers so we do have to hold it.

But when I first started this job (and first started using handfree phones, I just normally turn my phone off in the car) I found speaking to a customer whilst driving was a bit tricky. I found when I was concentrating more on the driving, I found my conversation went to pieces, resulting in a lot of "uhhhh" and "ummm" propping up. And I thought christ whats going to happen if I concentrate on the conversation whilst driving. So from now on, even with a handsfree kit fitted. I wont talk on the phone unless I've stopped the vehicle. I find thats the best way.

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Fri 24 Sep 2010 16:52
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - barney100

I see see many drivers using the phone regularly. Alas they never seem to be police around catching them so it is so easy to flout the law. Ithink the instance of 'phone use whilst driving has increased but that is only my opinion.

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Fri 24 Sep 2010 22:05
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - dieseldogg

Ban mothers & fathers from transporting their children in a car unless a limo with a soundproofed rear compartment.

I have a hands free kit, which I occassionaly take calls on, I have surprised myself by missing turnings on a route, however I drive at a moderate speed leaving a substantial gap tween me & the vehicle in front , generally a min of 3 seconds, etc etc.

But as usual it is the minority of complete dorks mindless iodiots who ruin it for everyone

incl the silly women who stop on a blind crest/corner a meter out from the verge to yak to whoever......but gosh they would not be so silly as to drive whilst on the mobile and hey if i crash as a result of avoiding them................hey it was not their fault

scheesh.

PS

Disapointed our new car despite being a high spec/top of the range model.................has NO "hands free" ph facility

That would be an extra Sir

Edited by dieseldogg on 24/09/2010 at 22:07

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Fri 24 Sep 2010 22:27
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

Interesting replies but what is clear is that we have only heard from the more responsible user who without going into all the arguments about whether *any* form of communication with a remote person is unwise, are all using their devices legally.

We haven't had one reply from my intended target of the incessant and illegal mobile phone user. I really would like to try and understand their view.

Maybe they don't exist, maybe they don't use this forum, maybe everyone I see is a one off.

Or maybe they all know they are as guilty as hell and aren't even going to try to justify it!

Regards.
FTF

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Sat 25 Sep 2010 12:34
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Armstrong Sid

We haven't had one reply from my intended target of the incessant and illegal mobile phone user. I really would like to try and understand their view.

Maybe they don't exist, maybe they don't use this forum, maybe everyone I see is a one off

I'll bet quite a few of them aren't the kind of people who would look at this forum. Not actually interested in motoring as a subject in its own right.

And many others think that they are perfectly ok doing what they do, arrogantly self-righteous, there's nothing wrong with it and why should they have to justify themselves to anyhone here; or the other idiots who just don't understand why there's anyting wrong with it and don't see any problem which needs to be addressed.

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Sat 25 Sep 2010 12:56
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - dieseldogg

However, however Sid,

How can one quantify and compensate for the different levels of driving ability.

For instance a combat pilot/racing driver could surely talk while probably knitting forby.............? while driving very fast & competently & safely

More so than some of the disyfunctional dorks I know who drive, one for an instance has almost no fine motor skills, this judged from his operation of hydraulic equipment, which requires such skills, yet he sees himself as competent on this equipment.

This judgment of mine endorsed by other independant competent to judge observers down through the years.

So where do we draw the line??

Now....where did I leave my Halo?

Edited by dieseldogg on 25/09/2010 at 12:57

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Sat 25 Sep 2010 17:19
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

You have a point I suppose dieseldogg but I think you are also highlighting the very issue that sid (and me cos I think he captures it well) is going on about. ie it alright for me because I'm ok, I know what I doing, I'm good/sensible enough to do it safely etc, etc.

FTF

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Sat 25 Sep 2010 17:33
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - daveyK_UK

the law is wrong, doesnt take into account the real world of high pressure work life.

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Sat 25 Sep 2010 19:00
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - dieseldogg

ERM,

DaveyK...........a dangerous admission to make..................if one is using the phone while under work pressure/ stress....................then indeed it is HIGHLY hazardous.

Having had a complete nervous breakdown as a result of stress at work you have my sympathies however.

Cheers

M

PS

just re-read Westpigs post , and twigged the author.

Yes bytimes I do not have the radio on, plus if it is raining heavily and at a junction with poor visibility on a winters evening.............I WILL pour down a window, or two.

Better wet than mangled or dead.

Edited by dieseldogg on 25/09/2010 at 19:04

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 09:09
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Westpig
just re-read Westpigs post , and twigged the author.

Someone famous? Good Looking? Always got a girl on his arm?

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Sat 25 Sep 2010 22:29
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

Count one for bad law then.

What about speed limits, when you are in a hurry beacuse of the stress of life. Overtaking on the right? Parking on double yellows? All to be ignored because of pressures??

Interesting point though. Thanks for replying.

FTF

Edited by fredthefifth on 25/09/2010 at 22:33

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 10:35
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Armstrong Sid

Overtaking on the right?

Given the context of the rest of your rmessage, shouldn't that be left?

Overtaking on the right is (at the moment) still legal

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 11:39
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

Spot on Sid, I even re read it during the edit for for some reason left it as it was. My only mitigation is that it was difficult enough trying to drive while typing the message on the laptop and I was a bit distracted because there was a bit of a queue building up behind me and I don't like to cause hazzards.

(By the way the above was quite safe because I had assessed all the risks and had slowed down and everthing. Some idiots trying to overtake though!)

All the best.

FTF

Edited by fredthefifth on 26/09/2010 at 11:41

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 12:48
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Buster Cambelt

Sorry - totally wrong.

I run my own company (very profitably too). Our contract of employment forbids use of mobile phones while driving and to do so would result in disciplinary action. To date we've never had to use the sanction but we are very careful who we employ.

We also discourage use of phones on public transport.

No one in commercial life is so important that they HAVE to take or make a call while driving. Of course, lots like to think they are........

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 15:46
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - piston power

Yet im allowed to use my two way radio in the car i can opperate the microphone while driving & have it written in the license this is legal................

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Tue 19 Oct 2010 10:22
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - R2-CMax

It's unfortunate in the context of driving, but human beings tend to suffer from a cognitive bias called "illusory superiority" (aka in English as the "above average effect") - over-estimating their own skills relative to other people.

Which is why when surveys have been carried out, you find out that 70-90% of people tend to rate themselves as "above average" drivers, when of course only 50% can be.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_superiority#Driving_ability

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 17:24
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - ianhad2
I don't even talk if the traffic is awkward.
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Sun 26 Sep 2010 18:44
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth
>>I don't even talk if the traffic is awkward.

Same here.
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Sun 26 Sep 2010 20:10
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Armstrong Sid
One of the things which can be scarier than seeing someone using a phone whilst driving......seeing someone talking to their front seat passenger whilst driving.

How may times have you been behind the driver who can't talk to someone without turning to face them?

Unless, maybe, they have an extra eye in the side of their head.
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Sun 26 Sep 2010 20:15
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - slidejules

A thought provoking thread...

I work as a support technician and have some really important (to our company) clients "on my watch". Consequently I need to be available to answer my phone pretty much 24/7. With a 90 min commute each way that often means taking calls on the road. When I'm driving my own car, or our work van, in both cases we have approved (ie legal) hands free kits installed. The ironic thing is that in both cases I find they don't work that well, and it's much more of a drag on my concentration to have to repeat myself, and think of easier to understand ways to say what I want to, than it would be if I was just nattering on my phone.

Occasionally I find myself driving a vehicle that doesn't have a handsfree kit in it. If the phone rings, I will admit in the interests of contributing to this thread honestly that on occasion I have answered it, hollered "I'll call you back" and then hung up. I know it's illegal, but it's a pressure of the job that I must be available and that's a risk I suppose I have to take. I know it's breaking the law, but then if we are drawing the line so thickly in the sand, so is driving at 71mph on the motorway, and I'd have a tough time believing someone if they told me they'd never done that.

One thing is, as has been mentioned already in this thread, that I was pretty surprised when the powers that be banned talking on a phone specifically. Many of us drove around for many years waffling away on our phones and staying out of accidents... The more general idea of driving without due care and attention seems more sensible to me. I'm pretty sure I would be more of a threat to the general public trying to light a cigarette at 70mph than talking on my phone while sat in the left lane on a motorway at 56mph...

At the same time, I respect that the laws are there for a reason and if they have helped save even one life since they were introduced, then they are worth it. I've also got friends who have points on their licence for talking on phone, and that's something I really don't want...

Jules

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 21:37
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Bilboman

Interesting recent replies. I would like to pass the buck some way in the general direction of companies and customers, as the behaviour of these two groups also leaves a lot to be desired. Customers feel that the world revolves around them and they demand to see their commercial contact face to face, or failing that, be able to phone up and tell their woes, regardless of the fact that "their" rep is driving or otherwise busy. Years ago a call to head office, or even a letter, was quick enough and the washing machine, lathe or life-threateningly important toaster would be repaired in due course. Years ago a customer would phone an office and leave a message which a well trained and efficient secretary would pass on.

Wake up, people, get used to the idea of (i) leaving a message, preferably concise and intelligible, on voice mail or (ii) communicating by email. I have spent years "training" my key clients to email me and with my Blackberry I can reply by email or a phone call when it suits me. It means that I get 70 or 80 emails a day and perhaps 15 or 20 phone calls which tend to be short and manageable.

if it's not too late to "squeeze the toothpaste back in the tube", I quite like the idea Buster Cambelt mentioned, whereby a company forbids all phone calls whilst at the wheel. If this were introduced immediately it would level the playing field and mean that no one can ever legally use a mobile at the wheel, all such behaviour is stamped out, truly massive fines and no excuses of the "it was urgent" variety.

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Sun 26 Sep 2010 23:57
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Armstrong Sid

f it's not too late to "squeeze the toothpaste back in the tube", I quite like the idea Buster Cambelt mentioned, whereby a company forbids all phone calls whilst at the wheel. If this were introduced immediately it would level the playing field and mean that no one can ever legally use a mobile at the wheel, all such behaviour is stamped out, truly massive fines and no excuses of the "it was urgent" variety.

I agree, but I think there are two important factors which take over. There's a whole generation of people (kids?) who cannot exist without resorting to a mobile/text/facebook/twitter at least once every hour. Rightly or wrongly, these people cannot function without their beloved keyboard. For people above a certain age, this mentality is a bit incomprehensible; but it exists and we have to accommodate it in some way.

And there are also some people who think they and their lives are just so important that they have to be in touch with the rest of the world at all times, regardless of the situation and circumstances (i.e. driving).

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Mon 27 Sep 2010 00:34
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Avant

lot of good sense here - as someone said above, those without that good sense probably don't post on here.

In my previous job (up to end of 2001) I had a company car and a hands-free phone kit: since then I have a higher salary but no company car, and simply don't feel the need to have a kit. I turn the phone off: it takes messges; and when I'm driving I normally stop after 2 hours or so for a break, and deal with the messages. I'm usually driving to lecture on a training course, and if my phone is off when I'm lecturing it can be off when I'm driving.

'Urgent' is one of the most over-used words in the language. In fairness, no-one has ever complained in nearly 9 years at having to leave a message.

I can certainly vouch for the 'distraction' element. The other day my Tomtom fell off the windscreen and into the footwell when I was on the M4. Even though I got into the left lane and slowed down, picking it up was extremely distracting. I hope Fred V will forgive me!

Edited by Avant on 27/09/2010 at 00:37

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Mon 27 Sep 2010 14:44
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - dieseldogg

Two other points that occur to me

(i) how younger (than me) drivers text??? while driving

Quite a few I imagine.

(ii) what do the statistics say re car accidents?? since the introduction /widespread use of mobiles??

Cheers

M

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Tue 28 Sep 2010 13:35
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

Now texting - don't start me, it has to be worse than using the phone for speech hasn't it?

Edited by fredthefifth on 28/09/2010 at 13:36

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Tue 28 Sep 2010 13:54
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Armstrong Sid

Now texting - don't start me, it has to be worse than using the phone for speech hasn't it?

Texting whilst driving is as dangerous as writing a letter whilst driving, and almost as physically impossible. Using a phone and driving is positively innocent compared with texting.

I've seen people texting/driving. They look down for a letter, look up to check the road, look down for another letter, look up to check the road again etc etc. I can't understand how they don't scare themselves

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Tue 28 Sep 2010 14:07
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - OldSkoOL

It boils my blood when i see people using their phone in clear view

At that point i wish i was a policeman and i'd have them there and then instantly, all day long.

Anyway, luckily i have bluetooth pairing and all i have to do to answer is press a button on the steering wheel and talk away.

Still feel the act of holding a conversation whilst driving is diverting some of your attention away from the road regardless of whether it's legal. But it's only the same as having someone in the car with you.

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Tue 28 Sep 2010 15:25
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Ben 10

You tend to find on numerous occasions that the slow driver in front is usually on the phone or texting. Or doesn't notice the lights change sequence. Not only is it wrong it endangers all of us on here. So when I see the motorist in front clearly on the phone, I tend to make it obvious I know.

I wish all of us who know its wrong would do the same. Then the message might sink in. My wifes company has banned their reps from having phones in their cars.If they are caught, its the sack.

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Tue 28 Sep 2010 18:09
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}

Not recently and then I was stationary in a lengthy traffic queue.

Even so it is much easier than trying to navigate the tiered menus on the Skoda's Bolero entertainment system. And easier than meeting SWMBO demands that I speak to her and look at her while driving. And ignore her hands waving about over the mirror.

How can you ban people from using/possessing a mobile phone when 95% of the population seem addicted to them. It is now their established "right" to use a phone.

Edited by Glaikit Wee Scunner {P} on 28/09/2010 at 18:13

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Tue 28 Sep 2010 22:38
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Westpig
But it's only the same as having someone in the car with you.

Not really. On long journeys my wife and I will natter on, but if it gets a bit fraught driving wise, she'll just stop and let me concentrate. If I were to open a packet of sweets, i'd choose my moment.

A phone conversation has someone on the other end and they have no knowledge of your driving conditions...and who's to say they'd even care anyway.

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Wed 29 Sep 2010 10:13
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - injection doc
I am astounded! I have just witnessed a young girl driving a VW polo with Flip phone in her left hand talking on speaker phone & her right elbow on the steering wheel whilst she had some sort of make up brush iether doing her eye brows or eye lashes & she was looking in the mirror !!!! why is there never a copper when you want one ? whilst this was happening i was following a Polish reg lorry 44t driving over a small stone bridge in a tiny village with a 12 ton weight limit!!
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Thu 30 Sep 2010 01:39
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Rob C

Engineers always overegg their loadings. If it was that dangerous, the bridge would have collapsed in front of you.

A year or so ago, we delved into the world of digital music and got an iPod, plus an adapter to use it in the car. After a very short time I realised it was far more dangerous than using a phone. 6 CDs or 18 radio stations presents you with an easy choice, with controls that are designed to be used by the driver. 1000's of tracks on 100's of albums is too much for me to cope with on a tiny device that requires 100% concentration to select what you want. Very dangerous indeed.

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Mon 18 Oct 2010 09:31
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - ijws15

Texting whilst driving is as dangerous as writing a letter whilst driving, and almost as physically impossible. Using a phone and driving is positively innocent compared with texting.

Not impossible. . . Couple of years ago saw a guy texting while driving at around 70mph on the A38 approaching Lichfield - northbound for those that know the area. His face was lit up by the light from the phone screen, around 5:45pm in December so quite dark and no streetlights. Had probably been texting since he got in the car - god knows where he had come from but probably been texting since he got into the car . . . . . Could not attract his attention to point out that the only light visible on the car was his phone screen.
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Sun 17 Oct 2010 15:13
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - supersmashing

always put it on silent when driving. you decide when you check to see if anyones called - they are not in control of the phone & the car - you are.

I dont understand why this isnt legally imposed - any phone that can start ringing in a moving car is potentially lethal.

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Mon 18 Oct 2010 00:59
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Dutchie

I dont use a phone whilst driving my wife does when she is a passenger.I find using a phone whilst driving antisocial even handsfree.There is to much happening on the roads to be safe having so called inportant conversations.And using a phone or texting not handsfree should be loss of licence.just my opinion.

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Tue 19 Oct 2010 14:26
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - greenhey

I live in a village about 2 miles east of M40 J6. There is a 30 limit thorugh the village, and a few attempts to enforce it but the narrow main road is getting more and more hazardous.In the centre of the village on one side the houses open directly onto the road.

I was out for a run this morning (impressive eh?) in the twilight and as I came along the main road a lorry came from the M40 direction. I would be fairly sure he was at 40-45 as he negotiated the curve and incline in the centre of the village.

Ths lorry was fully loaded with paving blocks .The driver was holding his phone to his ear and driving one-handed.One small misjudgement, a flat tyre, a pothole ( of which there are many) and he could have simply run into one of the houses.

90% of phones now have bluetooth. Bluetooth devices are less than £10.

What do we have to do?

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Wed 20 Oct 2010 09:38
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Sofa Spud

I've never used my mobile while driving, even when it was legal.

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Sat 23 Oct 2010 09:47
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

Its interesting that despite the numbers of drivers we all see using the phone illegally, there hasn't been one person on here trying to justify it. Presumably because they know its wrong and can't. So why persist in doing it then?

FTF

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Sat 23 Oct 2010 12:43
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Armstrong Sid

Its interesting that despite the numbers of drivers we all see using the phone illegally, there hasn't been one person on here trying to justify it.

I reckon the kind of person who uses a phone whilst driving is not the kind of person who will pay attention to motoring forums and post messages. They aren't interested in motoring or driving, so a forum like this won't interest them in any way.

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Sat 23 Oct 2010 18:25
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Alby Back

Well now, I agree with the view that using phones in cars is potentially distracting. On balance I'd prefer that it was totally banned in moving vehicles under any circumstances.

However, I do it several times a day most working days. I also drink coffee while driving, I smoke while driving and I eat sandwiches while driving. I have done all these things for as long as I can remember. My first mobile phone came in a briefcase and sat on the passenger seat of my company Cortina.

Why do I do it ? Simple, because my competitors do. If I didn't answer and make the several dozen calls I need to every working day I couldn't do my job and before anyone suggests that I stop to do it I'd never get to the places I need to be if I did.

Quite often, when I'm on the road, my driving day starts at 6.00 am and finishes at 9.00 pm. Averagely I cover 1000 miles a week punctuated by business meetings ( arranged by phone mainly ! ) There is rarely time for lunch or coffee or fag breaks other than on the move.

I'm very interested in cars and driving as an aside but until my competitors are enforceably banned from using their phones in their cars, I shall continue to use mine, on a handsfree system of course.

At the weekends, I turn my phone off for what it's worth. It's quite a relief to be without the loathsome thing for 48 hours.

Edited by Humph Backbridge on 23/10/2010 at 18:28

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Sat 23 Oct 2010 20:58
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - dieseldogg

Humph,

nice to see an honest non-hypocritical statement.

Cheers

M

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Sun 24 Oct 2010 11:30
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth

Thanks Humph. Do you use any sort of hands free kit?

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Sun 24 Oct 2010 12:07
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - Alby Back

Yes, it's "Bluetoothed" through the car radio. Prior to this car though I used a Jawbone background noise cancelling headset. Good bit of kit that. Very easy to use and actually does what it says it will.

This whole subject is just another side effect of modern life. So-called "executives" and suchlike used to have assistants or secretaries or PAs, call them what you will to field their calls etc. Now though, companies are pared to the bone, we all handle our own calls, type our own letters or more often emails as and when we can. Being out of touch is not culturally acceptable in modern business life. Even when you explain to callers that you are driving they really don't care and still want an immediate response to their enquiry or they will simply take their business elsewhere and accuse your company of poor service.

Results and performance are constantly monitored and measured. Anyone who refused to take in car calls would soon be seen as subversive / non-productive and would be reminded that a minimum of a thousand applicants would result from their job being advertised...

Some may be involved in phone related accidents, some may even die as a result or cause injury or worse to others but economic realities will prevail ultimately despite the rectitude of the matter.

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Sun 24 Oct 2010 20:28
Do you use the phone while driving? If so ..... - fredthefifth
Ok, ta. It really would be nice to hear from somebody that uses the phone illegally as well. I know there is debate about any sort of use, but it would be nice to see an similarly eloquent explanation from an illegal user.
FTF
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