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Texting Drivers: Penalty Points And Fines To Double
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Too little and too late. An increase from £100 to £200 is neither here nor there....ditto for the 6 points.
"Earlier this week, a survey by the RAC suggested nearly a third of UK motorists text, make calls and use apps while at the wheel, with the number having risen since 2014"
If the above is true, then I am hugely surprised that there aren't more accidents.
Too little and too late. An increase from £100 to £200 is neither here nor there....ditto for the 6 points.
"Earlier this week, a survey by the RAC suggested nearly a third of UK motorists text, make calls and use apps while at the wheel, with the number having risen since 2014"
If the above is true, then I am hugely surprised that there aren't more accidents.
Answers
It will make no difference as no one expects to get caught. The only way is to make it an automatic ban as drink driving is.
08:02 Sat 17th Sep 2016
I'd have thought that six points in one go was hardly irrelevant. And many are not as well off as yourself and £200 is no chickenfeed them. I still think that the answer is not around increasing punishment for the few caught. It's education, and pragmatically/sensibly better hands free tech as sstandard. Another example of authorities tackling an issue the wrong way.
OG...I can assure you that I am not well off !
Yes, an immediate ban would go a long way to make people think twice.
I am old enough to remember when it was considered OK to drink and drive.
But it has now become very much not OK, and rightly so. The immediate 1 year ban and the resulting insurance problems in the years following is a major factor in controlling the drink-drive problem. We need to apply the same criteria to texting when driving.
Yes, an immediate ban would go a long way to make people think twice.
I am old enough to remember when it was considered OK to drink and drive.
But it has now become very much not OK, and rightly so. The immediate 1 year ban and the resulting insurance problems in the years following is a major factor in controlling the drink-drive problem. We need to apply the same criteria to texting when driving.
Mikey, the current penalties for drink driving are in now way controlling it. You might like to read this:
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“…and pragmatically/sensibly better hands free tech as sstandard.”
“At least spend a few pounds on a handfree kit.”
Leaving aside texting (of which more below) it is NOT the physical act of fannying about with phones that is the real problem. Making a phone call – even the inane variety - uses brain processing power. This reduces the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and to react to changing situations. Various studies have proved that this is at least as hazardous as driving with excess alcohol. This proposal (six points) is a step in the right direction but as I said in another answer yesterday, the offence should carry the same penalties as drink-driving (which, incidentally, carries a six month custodial option). That said, six points will see “New Drivers” (those who passed their test less than six months previously) having their licence revoked and reverting to provisional status. This is actually a powerful deterrent and many appearing in court facing six points often plead with the court to disqualify them for a short period instead (the “New Drivers” regulations do not apply to disqualifications).
Texting at the wheel is worse than reading a book and should be charged as dangerous driving, no question. This carries a maximum of two years custody, a mandatory minimum 12 month ban and a compulsory extended re-test.
“At least spend a few pounds on a handfree kit.”
Leaving aside texting (of which more below) it is NOT the physical act of fannying about with phones that is the real problem. Making a phone call – even the inane variety - uses brain processing power. This reduces the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and to react to changing situations. Various studies have proved that this is at least as hazardous as driving with excess alcohol. This proposal (six points) is a step in the right direction but as I said in another answer yesterday, the offence should carry the same penalties as drink-driving (which, incidentally, carries a six month custodial option). That said, six points will see “New Drivers” (those who passed their test less than six months previously) having their licence revoked and reverting to provisional status. This is actually a powerful deterrent and many appearing in court facing six points often plead with the court to disqualify them for a short period instead (the “New Drivers” regulations do not apply to disqualifications).
Texting at the wheel is worse than reading a book and should be charged as dangerous driving, no question. This carries a maximum of two years custody, a mandatory minimum 12 month ban and a compulsory extended re-test.
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