YOUR TEXT CAN KILL
DRIVERS who text at the wheel are being warned their habit can be a killer - and police won't let them get away with it.
A study found that driving while texting is more dangerous than driving after drinking or taking drugs.
The number of drivers handed a ticket for using a mobile at the wheel in Dorset has soared from five in 2007 to 300 this year.
Dorset Police is focusing on "driver distraction" such as text messaging and fiddling with the as part of a campaign to stop the three big killers on the road. The others are drink-driving and not wearing a seatbelt.
Chief Inspector Wes Trickey said: "Speaking on a mobile phone or texting is a big distraction. You do not concentrate on the road."
He said speeding drivers were already being targeted by Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, which had 60 staff dealing with the problem.
Inspector Trickey said figures indicated that six fewer people had been killed on the county's roads this year so far.
The RAC Foundation, in a study published today, tested 17 to 24-year-olds in a driving simulator. Reaction times deteriorated by 35 per cent for those who were texting.
They also drifted out of their lane more often and steering control was 91 percent worse than normal.
Text messaging was second only in danger to driving while using a hand-held phone.
RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "No responsible motorist would drink and drive.
"We need to ensure that text devotees understand that texting is one of the most hazardous things that can be done while in charge of a car."
Drivers who cause fatal crashes while glancing at their mobile phone or changing the radio now face five years in jail thanks to a new law covering death by dangerous driving.
John Satchwell, road safety manager at Bournemouth Borough Council said: "I hope the results of this study will shock people, since it is no more acceptable to text while at the wheel as it is to drive under the effects of drink or drugs."
The council ran a campaign on buses and using radio adverts in March and April to highlight the dangers of using mobile phones and other distractions.
It plans to run a similar campaign with Poole and Dorset councils early next year.
7:00am today
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CommentPosted by: michael carpenter, BOSCOMBE on 11:38am today
ITS NOT JUST DRIVERS, I HAVE SEEN CYCLISTS RIDING WITH ONE HAND WHILST TURNING A CORNER AND USING THEIR MOBILE AS WELL AS OTHERS RIDING DOWN BOSCOMBE PRECINT USING THEIR PHONE WITH NO REGARD TO OTHER PEOPLE USING THE PRECINT.
ITS NOT JUST DRIVERS, I HAVE SEEN CYCLISTS RIDING WITH ONE HAND WHILST TURNING A CORNER AND USING THEIR MOBILE AS WELL AS OTHERS RIDING DOWN BOSCOMBE PRECINT USING THEIR PHONE WITH NO REGARD TO OTHER PEOPLE USING THE PRECINT.
Posted by: Mike, Bournemouth on 12:17pm today
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.
Posted by: Big D, Walkford on 12:36pm today
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote:
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.[/quote] It just this sort of arrogant idiot that the world needs to be rid of! I can't believe you think its ok! It doesn't matter whether you are looking at the screen or not, you are breaking the law, and putting lives at risk. What a moron!
Mike wrote:
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.
It just this sort of arrogant idiot that the world needs to be rid of! I can't believe you think its ok! It doesn't matter whether you are looking at the screen or not, you are breaking the law, and putting lives at risk. What a moron!
Posted by: Big D, Walkford on 12:37pm today
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote:
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.[/quote] It just this sort of arrogant idiot that the world needs to be rid of! I can't believe you think its ok! It doesn't matter whether you are looking at the screen or not, you are breaking the law, and putting lives at risk. What a moron!
Mike wrote:
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.
It just this sort of arrogant idiot that the world needs to be rid of! I can't believe you think its ok! It doesn't matter whether you are looking at the screen or not, you are breaking the law, and putting lives at risk. What a moron!
Posted by: Accurate_reporting_r
ulez on 2:54pm today
This story's all over the media today. I just want to know where I can get funding to carry such research.
I think I'll choose to determine if driving a car with a broken leg can affect how you drive.
This story's all over the media today. I just want to know where I can get funding to carry such research.
I think I'll choose to determine if driving a car with a broken leg can affect how you drive.
Posted by: WIGGINS, BOURNEMOUTH on 4:37pm today
Well obviously having a brain cell is not a requirement.
Well obviously having a brain cell is not a requirement.
Posted by: TANKMAN, Dorset on 4:44pm today
Programming your sat nav whilst driving should also be made illegal!!! In fact I always believed that [bold]ANY[/bold] screen/vdu/monitor that the driver could see was illegal.
Programming your sat nav whilst driving should also be made illegal!!! In fact I always believed that
ANY screen/vdu/monitor that the driver could see was illegal.
Posted by: Phil, Poole on 5:03pm today
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote:
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.[/quote] Of course it is!
1. You're not paying full attention to the road.
2. One of your hands is occupied.
3. You're bound to still look at the screen to check what you're writing, and to send the text to the right person.
Mike wrote:
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.
Of course it is!
1. You're not paying full attention to the road.
2. One of your hands is occupied.
3. You're bound to still look at the screen to check what you're writing, and to send the text to the right person.
Posted by: boilerballs, poole on 5:10pm today
what about c b radios that truckers/cabbies have, are they not a distraction..or what about advertising boards alongside roads..they are designed to be distracting. BMW,s have a screen and a toggle switch which controls everything in the car, on top gear they said it can be used when driving...surely that is completeing distracting and dangerous...i think dorset police have a few 5 series BMW,s! Do they drive whilst playing with this gadget??
what about c b radios that truckers/cabbies have, are they not a distraction..or what about advertising boards alongside roads..they are designed to be distracting. BMW,s have a screen and a toggle switch which controls everything in the car, on top gear they said it can be used when driving...surely that is completeing distracting and dangerous...i think dorset police have a few 5 series BMW,s! Do they drive whilst playing with this gadget??
Posted by: jodiemeads, poole on 5:11pm today
what really gets on my wick is the drivers who talk on their mobiles while driving what complete utter prats. what they need is horrific picstures of people killed and hurt in accidents due to morons talking on their phones!! they obviosly dont give a s**t!!
what really gets on my wick is the drivers who talk on their mobiles while driving what complete utter prats. what they need is horrific picstures of people killed and hurt in accidents due to morons talking on their phones!! they obviosly dont give a s**t!!
Posted by: muffin the mule, wallisdown on 5:53pm today
WHY IS THERE NOT A DEDICATED PLAIN POLICE VEHICLE THAT TARGETS MOBILE PHONE OFFENDERS ,I SEE MOBILE USERS ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM OUT AND ABOUT ,THE FILTH COULD CATCH HUNDREDS OF THEM AND IT OUGHT TO BE A BANNING OFFENCE - NO SECOND CHANCE ,1 STRIKE AND OUT PLUS A MASSIVE FINE AD A PRISON SENTANCE FOR A SECOND OFFENCE
WHY IS THERE NOT A DEDICATED PLAIN POLICE VEHICLE THAT TARGETS MOBILE PHONE OFFENDERS ,I SEE MOBILE USERS ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM OUT AND ABOUT ,THE FILTH COULD CATCH HUNDREDS OF THEM AND IT OUGHT TO BE A BANNING OFFENCE - NO SECOND CHANCE ,1 STRIKE AND OUT PLUS A MASSIVE FINE AD A PRISON SENTANCE FOR A SECOND OFFENCE
Posted by: Nick, Bournemouth on 8:09pm today
[quote][bold]TANKMAN[/bold] wrote:
Programming your sat nav whilst driving should also be made illegal!!! In fact I always believed that [bold]ANY[/bold] screen/vdu/monitor that the driver could see was illegal.[/quote] In Spain it is. On the spot 100 Euro fine.
TANKMAN wrote:
Programming your sat nav whilst driving should also be made illegal!!! In fact I always believed that ANY screen/vdu/monitor that the driver could see was illegal.
In Spain it is. On the spot 100 Euro fine.
Posted by: Nick, Bournemouth on 8:21pm today
[quote][bold]Mike[/bold] wrote:
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.[/quote] You haven't looked at the Highway Code for a long while.
[bold]Mobile phones and in-vehicle technology[/bold]
149
You [bold]MUST[/bold] exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. You [bold]MUST NOT[/bold] use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop. Never use a hand-held microphone when driving. Using hands-free equipment is also likely to distract your attention from the road. It is far safer not to use any telephone while you are driving or riding - find a safe place to stop first or use the voicemail facility and listen to messages later.
[bold][Laws RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3 & CUR regs 104 & 110[/bold] ]
150
There is a danger of driver distraction being caused by[bold] in-vehicle systems such as satellite navigation systems, congestion warning systems, PCs, multi-media, etc[/bold] . You [bold]MUST[/bold] exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Do not rely on driver assistance systems such as cruise control or lane departure warnings. They are available to assist but you should not reduce your concentration levels. Do not be distracted by maps or screen-based information (such as navigation or vehicle management systems) while driving or riding. If necessary find a safe place to stop.
[bold][Laws RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3 & CUR reg 104[/bold] ]
These are the laws used to nick you when you are found out.
[italic][bold]And you WILL BE found out.[/bold][/italic]
(Collar Number supplied on request).
Mike wrote:
I can text without looking at the keys/screen - surely that shouldn't be illegal.
You haven't looked at the Highway Code for a long while.
Mobile phones and in-vehicle technology
149
You
MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. You
MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop. Never use a hand-held microphone when driving. Using hands-free equipment is also likely to distract your attention from the road. It is far safer not to use any telephone while you are driving or riding - find a safe place to stop first or use the voicemail facility and listen to messages later.
150
There is a danger of driver distraction being caused by in-vehicle systems such as satellite navigation systems, congestion warning systems, PCs, multi-media, etc . You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Do not rely on driver assistance systems such as cruise control or lane departure warnings. They are available to assist but you should not reduce your concentration levels. Do not be distracted by maps or screen-based information (such as navigation or vehicle management systems) while driving or riding. If necessary find a safe place to stop.
These are the laws used to nick you when you are found out.
And you WILL BE found out.
(Collar Number supplied on request).
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 8:48pm today
If one has a good Satnav system, and it is programmed before departure (as it should be) there should be no need to alter it when in motion. If you go of track the system will recalculate and redirect you back to your route.
Used as an assistance system rather than a viewing implement, driving with a Satnav should be, will be safe.
If you need to change details, then pull off at the next convenient stop, and input new details. Easy really.
If one has a good Satnav system, and it is programmed before departure (as it should be) there should be no need to alter it when in motion. If you go of track the system will recalculate and redirect you back to your route.
Used as an assistance system rather than a viewing implement, driving with a Satnav should be, will be safe.
If you need to change details, then pull off at the next convenient stop, and input new details. Easy really.
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