Mobile phone use.

[AMGeed]

Mobile phones biggest cause of road fatalities | UK | News | Daily Express

"Mobile phones are biggest cause of road fatalities"

Scary eh?

But chop through the propaganda and:

"The Department for Transport said that of 88 deaths caused by distractions in 2012, 17 were due to mobile use"

(total fatalities 2012 - 1754)

So "biggest cause of road fatalities" turns out to 17 out of 1754...

Other things to consider:

"there were 23 deaths in police custody"

"17 deaths due to dog attacks 5221 injuries requiring hospital admission"

"3,600 people died in falls, including 50 who slipped on ice or snow and two were on “ice-skates, skis, roller-skates or skateboards”"

"99 people were killed in falls from beds"

"52 in falls from chairs"

"655 who fell down stairs"

"13 falling off a cliff"

"35 drowned in the bath"

So while you're busy stamping on people's killer mobiles, don't forget the far more dangerous killer chairs, baths, cliffs, skates and dogs.

Keep away from policemen too, far more likely to kill you than someone on a mobile at the wheel.

Ah well, its only 17 people dead, so its OK!

 

[nick mercedes]

But people are texting! Why does anyone need to be killed to prove your point?

In your world, its appears its OK for prove using a mobile is a danger to other road users?

I just don't understand your flippant outlook to preventable loss of life

The danger is clearly overblown, 1754 killed, only 17 of which are down to mobiles.

Rather than worry about the 17, what about the 1737?

What was the biggest killer of the 1737, in a number that big there must be some common causes?

 

[nick mercedes]

Ah well, its only 17 people dead, so its OK!

99 got killed by beds, should we ban beds?

Clearly any death is a tragedy and should be avoided, but why only focus on one small problem where there are so many other far bigger ones??

 

[Deleted member 6183]

There are those those who complain to the mods and ask to have others banned, when they post things they don't like. It takes all sorts Lewy to make a forum. Before you know it, people are on a car forum protesting about having their bin bags pinched. It's a funny old life really isn't it. When only professionals and Lewyboy are allowed opinions. Anybody else is reported to the mods. Lets see how long it takes you to get this thread closed then Loohay.

Bruce,

I once reported a post of yours to the admin due to the vile language and you were admonished on that occasion, I've never asked for you to be banned and when I was told by the admin to report your posts I refused because it goes against my support for free speech.

 

[renault12ts]

Why is holding a phone to your ear whilst holding a conversation more of a distraction than holding a conversation using handsfree? It isn't...they are both dangerous ... mobile phones should be completely banned in vehicles.

Just my opinion of course. There is so much self righteousness regarding those holding phones by those using handsfree.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Its funny because I see the statement Nick made in black and white very clearly. In my eyes its just so wrong on every level. That's why I spoke my mind. I apologise for the idiot remark.
I'll keep your opinion about my "original thoughts" to myself.

My point is that it's productive to be open minded, why should you care if someone else wants to explore other avenues which you choose not to consider?

Would you feel happier if the thread went like this?

New thread - mobile phones at the wheel = Bad.
Everyone agrees, it's very bad.
Thread closed trails off.

 

[nick mercedes]

mobile phones should be completely banned in vehicles

But how many lives have mobiles saved on the roads?

Years ago if you came across a crash you'd have to drive off to get help, now you can summon the emergency services in seconds.

 

[AMGeed]

99 got killed by beds, should we ban beds?

Clearly any death is a tragedy and should be avoided, but why only focus on one small problem where there are so many other far bigger ones??

As this is a car forum, I thought I bring up the fact that police are actively trying to stop drivers using a mobile phone at the wheel. It's a proven fact that using one whilst driving causes death. But to appear to think its not worth mentioning as its "only 17"?


I'll check out a forum for safe beds later as I expect you have something to say there, as falling out of one is so dangerous.

 

[davidjpowell]

As this is a car forum, I thought I bring up the fact that police are actively trying to stop drivers using a mobile phone at the wheel. It's a proven fact that using one whilst driving causes death. But to appear to think its not worth mentioning as its "only 17"?


I'll check out a forum for safe beds later as I expect you have something to say there, as falling out of one is so dangerous.

Hang on - it is not a fact that using a Mobile Phone at the wheel causes death. If it was a lot more people would be dead.

I would agree that using a phone is a distraction that may cause death. But so are a lot of other things.

Outright statements like yours are factually incorrect.

 

[MancMike]

99 got killed by beds, should we ban beds?

Clearly any death is a tragedy and should be avoided, but why only focus on one small problem where there are so many other far bigger ones??

But people need to sleep, people don't need to make phone calls while driving.

You're comparing deaths caused by necessities like eating and sleeping, with deaths caused by something nobody needs to do.

 

[nick mercedes]

It's a proven fact that using one whilst driving causes death.

I saw someone in a tipper lorry on the phone yesterday, but nobody died, was he doing it wrong?

 

[AMGeed]

My point is that it's productive to be open minded, why should you care if someone else wants to explore other avenues which you choose not to consider?

Would you feel happier if the thread went like this?

New thread - mobile phones at the wheel = Bad.
Everyone agrees, it's very bad.
Thread closed trails off.

Constructive debate is fine. When someone states its OK to carry on using them in their hand whilst driving because its "only killed 17" in one year I am thinking troll.
Now if he can give me a good reason why it is OK, go ahead, I'm all ears.

 

[renault12ts]

But how many lives have mobiles saved on the roads?

Years ago if you came across a crash you'd have to drive off to get help, now you can summon the emergency services in seconds.

Good point...well made.

 

[AMGeed]

I saw someone in a tipper lorry on the phone yesterday, but nobody died, was he doing it wrong?

I give up. A stupid answer to a cherry picked sentence.
I'm done with this "debate". I truly believe you are the forum troll.

 

[Benzowner]

The problem as I see it is that using a mobile phone in the car is akin to speeding, both dangerous, but ok as long as they don't get caught.

 

[nick mercedes]

Constructive debate is fine. When someone states its OK to carry on using them in their hand whilst driving because its "only killed 17" in one year I am thinking troll.
Now if he can give me a good reason why it is OK, go ahead, I'm all ears.

Well reality proves that it's not as dangerous as the propaganda tells us, the actually raw statistics show that in the general scheme of things it's really not that big a problem.

Should people do distracting things while driving, no.

Is doing distracting things while driving the most dangerous thing in the world, no.

Should the police ignore all the other far more important problems and worry about mobiles, no.

 

[renault12ts]

The most distracting thing in cars nowadays is...the radio. Try tuning one of those in an unfamiliar hire car! And try doing that whilst using the Sat Nav!!

 

[davidjpowell]

The most distracting thing in cars nowadays is...the radio. Try tuning one of those in an unfamiliar hire car! And try doing that whilst using the Sat Nav!!

This is true. I'm in a hire car most months in Ireland. The first thing I do before setting off is the Bluetooth, and the SatNav if it has it. After that trying to get my radio, my seat, the climate etc. in an unfamiliar car you do have to be very careful.

Especially in an unfamiliar place - although I do know my way around Dublin airport/ring road nowadays.

 

[davidjpowell]

I give up. A stupid answer to a cherry picked sentence.
I'm done with this "debate". I truly believe you are the forum troll.

If your 'facts' are incorrect it is best you step outside and think it through really.

 

[MercedesDriver]

Phones, touchscreens, apps and everything unrelated to driving from point A to point B should be banned