RE: FN-FORUM [OT] Radar Detectors (Was: Design Critique)

date posted 24th January 2003 18:36

> Another pet peeve is that using a mobile phone while driving
> in an offence (I do NOT use my phone when driving) but
> smoking while driving is not. Come on, surely carrying an
> alight item while trying to drive should be outlawed, not to
> mention that it is in effect drug taking and should be
> treated as such.

Technically it's not an offence. There's currently a quango or whatever
it is they call it deciding on exactly what's going to be allowed.
Currently the thinking is that any phone which is physically connected
to the car and uses the cars builtin speakers will be legal to use, but
not phones using wireless headsets. The theory behind it is that if you
use a wireless headset you have to dial or answer the call using the
keys but you don't with fixed car kits. Another perfect example of the
government policy makers being completely insulated from real life.

However, using a mobile could be construed as driving with undue care
and attention - as can smoking.

The one I've seen a few times is the person who flicks the cigarette out
of the window only for the wind to blow it back in again. They then
spend the next five minutes driving along whilst looking at the back
seat trying to prevent it from torching the entire back seat.

Darran.