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Switch off phone when driving, says website

2:42pm Wednesday 19th December 2007

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A ROAD safety website is asking motorists in Bolton make a new year's resolution - switch off your phone when driving.

The law banning the use of handheld phones was introduced in 2003 and tougher penalties were introduced in February this year. But people continue to use mobiles while driving.

Andrew McGavin, founder of BetterDrivingPlease.com said: "We live in a society where people expect to be able to contact you anytime, anywhere.

"But research released in September showed that using a mobile phone behind the wheel could be worse than drink-driving.

"We have to make it as socially unacceptable as that crime. The only safe thing to do is to switch your phone off when you get into the car. That way there is no temptation to answer it or make a quick call."

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Your Say YourThe Bolton News

RagReader, Horwich says...
3:56pm Wed 19 Dec 07

I've just been passed by a 'white van man' careering across Crown Lane in Horwich,one of the most dangerous roads in the area whilst using his mobile phone,it's obvious that the ludicrous penalties aren't working.

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Sun Tzu, Bolton says...
4:25pm Wed 19 Dec 07

If the tougher penalties aren't working then they need to be made tougher still.
Why don't they introduce an automatic 12 month ban.

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WUMPKINS, bolton says...
4:27pm Wed 19 Dec 07

HANDS FREE sets at HOME BARGAINS only £1
as Fred Elliot would say ONLY £1 Get there quick

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Sun Tzu, Bolton says...
4:29pm Wed 19 Dec 07

WUMPKINS wrote:
HANDS FREE sets at HOME BARGAINS only £1
as Fred Elliot would say ONLY £1 Get there quick
Ban em.

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Brak, Bolton says...
5:13pm Wed 19 Dec 07

This is the way it's going folks.
My work have started telling everyone not to use Bluetooth headsets and not to phone out on their hands free car kits. At the mo they can only take incoming calls but it's only a matter of time before a total ban. As the scare mongering video they made us watch said "10 DEATHS A DAY ON THE ROADS"

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Sun Tzu, Bolton says...
5:35pm Wed 19 Dec 07

So Brak, you in favour of a ban or no?
Any idea how many of them deaths involved people phoning?

I personaly think it should be banned. I've lost count of the number of times I've been behind someone driving eraticly, and thought "whats this arsehole playing at" only to discover when I overtake or come up the side of them at the lights, that they are talking on the phone.
Big issue to my mind is not where their hands are when phoning, but where their mind is, and it's not on the road.

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Sun Tzu, Bolton says...
5:42pm Wed 19 Dec 07

Don

Check out the last post on the "Town hall gets message across in 28 languages" thread.

I think it may tickle you.

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derby0543, bury says...
6:28pm Wed 19 Dec 07

If they own the car take the car off them as they are a danger to other road users, if it is a works vehicle take there licence off them, as they would for drink/drive. For the latter certainly.

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RagReader, Horwich says...
6:53pm Wed 19 Dec 07

Perhaps the council could add a 29th, 'Understanding Donmarg'

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Nick, says...
6:53pm Wed 19 Dec 07

What about turning the radio on and off or winding the window up and down.We will all be forced to drive automatics because it will be illegal to change gear next!

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Tommy, says...
7:05pm Wed 19 Dec 07

Nick wrote:
What about turning the radio on and off or winding the window up and down.We will all be forced to drive automatics because it will be illegal to change gear next!
Go on, drive down a main road chatting on the phone. Change gear with the one hand you're steering with. Watch out for that kid in the road!!! You can't steer while your hand is on the gearstick..

Seriously injured child run over by an absolute dickhead.

If you can't drive without moaning about chatting on the phone, then don't drive at all, you **** chump.

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bwfc91, bolton says...
10:49pm Wed 19 Dec 07

donmarg wrote:
10 Deaths a day any asians among that total
You would not be saying this, if a member of your family was part of this statistics.
my sister died in a car accident and no fault of her own.YOU ARE DISGRACE.how can you get so low.

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bwfc91, bolton says...
10:51pm Wed 19 Dec 07

By the way DON, i visited her grave this morning.

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donmarg, bolton says...
11:16pm Wed 19 Dec 07

BWFC91 sorry to here about your sister i did not mean to offend you in anyway,
Infact is was a bad joke aimed at someone i hate.
I do feel for you i lost two nephews in tragic circumstances and would not whish that on anyone may she rest in peace and accept my apologizes

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RagReader, Horwich says...
11:32pm Wed 19 Dec 07

donmarg wrote:
BWFC91 sorry to here about your sister i did not mean to offend you in anyway, Infact is was a bad joke aimed at someone i hate. I do feel for you i lost two nephews in tragic circumstances and would not whish that on anyone may she rest in peace and accept my apologizes
Can't spell, can't think, time this ignorant poster was banned.

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Colin, Bolton says...
9:30am Thu 20 Dec 07

I cycle to work up Chorley New Road, the other day someone came out of Overdale Cemetary, not only were they on a mobile phone but it was being held by the left hand so that his left arm was across his body. As he reached the main road he was looking left and not right, I don't know if he was in a manual or automatic but I guess using the left hand would at least make things difficult (I don't drive so I don't know)I think someone mentioned earlier about where their brain was when on a phone, I think this guy falls into that category of, "Mind on something else other than his driving". Make it law to fit hands free kits in every car, then anyone not using them will be shot at Dawn. Unless of course they drive for a living (Sales rep's etc) In which case the courts would probably let them off with a slapped wrist.

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Brak, Bolton says...
9:44am Thu 20 Dec 07

So Brak, you in favour of a ban or no?
Any idea how many of them deaths involved people phoning?

Hey Sun, the scare mongering vid didn't actually tell us stats on accidents involving mobiles.
As for a ban – hmm, I am defo against people using their phones without any Bluetooth or handheld device – that really does annoy me coz some people can’t drive with 2 hands so they’re even worse with just 1.
I flash them if I see people doing that (with my headlights not in my dirty mac!).
I have my Bluetooth on all the time in the car.
If I ever need to make a call I make sure it’s my last number dialled but I only really take calls if urgent (the other half!!).
One argument that has come out is surely talking to a passenger is as much of a distraction.
If they’re banned altogether then so be it. It’s must be terrible to have lost someone in such circumstances.

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donmarg, bolton says...
11:38am Thu 20 Dec 07

Ok Mr perfect rag head
i did say sorry but obviously with you
never being wrong makes it ok for you to call others,
In other words get stuf---

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spice, bolton says...
1:07pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Cant understand all this hype about mobile phones they are the worst things to be invented,will we all stop living if there wasnt any ,what did we do years ago,we still managed to keep in touch with friends and family, they are only useful in an emergency,try sitting next to someone on a bus who carries on a conversation I feel like throwing that persons phone through the window,phone conversations are meant to be personal not for the whole bus load of passengers to hear,sorry to get on the soap box but I HATE MOBLE PHONES FULL STOP.

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Del, bolton says...
1:30pm Thu 20 Dec 07

It's simple use hands free!

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Ali, says...
1:35pm Thu 20 Dec 07

I agree with you spice.
Most innovations these days that are meant to enhance your life only serve to alienate you from your fellow man and irritate other people whilst they're being used.

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Nick, says...
7:10pm Thu 20 Dec 07

Tommy wrote:
Nick wrote: What about turning the radio on and off or winding the window up and down.We will all be forced to drive automatics because it will be illegal to change gear next!
Go on, drive down a main road chatting on the phone. Change gear with the one hand you're steering with. Watch out for that kid in the road!!! You can't steer while your hand is on the gearstick.. Seriously injured child run over by an absolute dickhead. If you can't drive without moaning about chatting on the phone, then don't drive at all, you **** chump.
I am not advocating driving whilst using the phone d***head. I already use hands free in order to make my driving safer. All I am saying that these, along with looking at your sat nav will be outlawed soon. I was trying to be flippant or is that a word you don't understand?

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