It never fails to amaze me the amount of people that still use mobile phones whilst driving. I spent 3 1/2 hours today driving on a motorway and would say that 1 in 20 drivers I saw were using phones despite the penalties for such irresponsible behaviour having been increased. I saw one girl of about 20 doing at least 90mph in the fast lane texting, if the car in front of her had stopped quickly she would have caused a major accident.
Is mobile phone use whilst driving bad where you are and what do you think the penalties should be for endangering other road users lives?

I've seen people texting while a Police officer is sitting in the lane next to them, and they don't pull them over or give them a ticket.

I'm amazed at how little the authorities care.

Too busy posting a reply

What country do you live in?

Its punishable by a fine and penalty points (which count towards losing your driving license) here in the UK.

I don't think the problem is the law or the penalty, its the enforcement, which is virtually non-existant.

The United States. They passed a law in my state that its now considered a traffic violation if you're texting while driving. But its really not enforced at all. People do it all of the time and the police don't care.

So long you're not speeding or running a red light, than they don't care if you're on your phone or texting.

I'm in the UK and you're right it is the lack of enforcement. Not enough patrol cars and highly advertised speed cameras just don't deter people from driving like complete idiots. I think the penalty for driving while on the phone should be an instant ban in line with driving over 100mph which instantly carries this penalty. 3 points and a ￡100 fine really doesn't seem to be deterring anyone at present from what I witnessed today on the M25.

It is still quite bad in Toronto. I find it even worse for pedestrians walking. I almost saw two accidents today caused by people walking a red light while texting/surfing the web on a cell phone.

I hate when people text and drive as well, but i am not a fan of the distracted driving law for one reason - distracted driving laws here in Alberta mean that the cop can pull you over for ANYTHING they deem distracted driving, that could mean changing your radio, taking a drink of water, eating a sandwich, fumbling around with your sun visor, smoking a cigarette etc.

You become a virtual prisoner while driving when it's like that, you're not allowed to do anything but stare straight ahead and make sure you dont move a muscle.

It's just one more step to a big brother nanny state mentality.

I do however hate when people text and drive and arent watching the road, especially when they're an idiot that doesnt know how to merge and they arent even paying attention to merging cus they need to text while driving.

I'm all for fines for that, but demerits (penalties) that can result in your license being taken away is a little much, especially if you got dinged for taking a drink and it was marked down as "distracted driving", most people assume you got dinged for texting and driving - which i am against, but i am not against being able to take a drink or change your radio while driving.

I'll deal with the fine if i get a distracted driving for taking a drink, but i will fight in court those demerits - which will result in bogged down courts if most people have that sentiment.

Here's the terms of the law of it. But people break it any way. Teenagers still do it and there are still many many wrecks in my home town.

Text messaging and using a hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle prohibited, when--exceptions--definitions--violation, penalty.

Chapter 304- Section 304.820. Traffic Regulations and Revised Statutes.

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person twenty-one years of age or younger operating a moving motor vehicle upon the highways of this state shall, by means of a hand-held electronic wireless communications device, send, read, or write a text message or electronic message.

2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a commercial motor vehicle while using a hand-held mobile telephone.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a commercial motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device to send, read, or write a text message or electronic message.

4. The provisions of subsection 1 through subsection 3 of this section shall not apply to a person operating:

(1) An authorized emergency vehicle; or

(2) A moving motor vehicle while using a hand-held electronic wireless communications device to:

(a) Report illegal activity;

( Summon medical or other emergency help;

© Prevent injury to a person or property; or

(d) Relay information between a transit or for-hire operator and that operator's dispatcher, in which the device is permanently affixed to the vehicle.

5. Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted as prohibiting a person from making or taking part in a telephone call, by means of a hand-held electronic wireless communications device, while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle upon the highways of this state.

6. As used in this section, "electronic message" means a self-contained piece of digital communication that is designed or intended to be transmitted between hand-held electronic wireless communication devices. "Electronic message" includes, but is not limited to, electronic mail, a text message, an instant message, or a command or request to access an internet site.

7. As used in this section, "hand-held electronic wireless communications device" includes any hand-held cellular phone, palm pilot, blackberry, or other mobile electronic device used to communicate verbally or by text or electronic messaging, but shall not apply to any device that is permanently embedded into the architecture and design of the motor vehicle.

8. As used in this section, "making or taking part in a telephone call" means listening to or engaging in verbal communication through a hand-held electronic wireless communication device.

9. As used in this section, "send, read, or write a text message or electronic message" means using a hand-held electronic wireless telecommunications device to manually communicate with any person by using an electronic message. Sending, reading, or writing a text message or electronic message does not include reading, selecting, or entering a phone number or name into a hand-held electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making a telephone call.

10. A violation of this section shall be deemed an infraction and shall be deemed a moving violation for purposes of point assessment under section 302.302.

11. The state preempts the field of regulating the use of hand-held electronic wireless communications devices in motor vehicles, and the provisions of this section shall supercede any local laws, ordinances, orders, rules, or regulations enacted by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision to regulate the use of hand-held electronic wireless communication devices by the operator of a motor vehicle.

12. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:

(1) The operator of a vehicle that is lawfully parked or stopped;

(2) Any of the following while in the performance of their official duties: a law enforcement officer; a member of a fire department; or the operator of a public or private ambulance;

(3) The use of factory-installed or aftermarket global positioning systems (GPS) or wireless communications devices used to transmit or receive data as part of a digital dispatch system;

(4) The use of voice-operated technology;

(5) The use of two-way radio transmitters or receivers by a licensee of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service.