UK Motorists On The Phone Face Jail December 21, 2007
Read more Cars , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Mobile phones , Motoring
As if having a gazillion speed cameras wasn’t enough, UK motorists caught jabbering away on the mobile phone – or smoking at the wheel – could be locked up for as long as two years according to new guidelines drawn up by the Crown Prosecution Service.
The new policy on bad driving has been set up to address not just what constitutes careless driving but also to outline a clear set of charges so that bereaved families have a better shot at justice against drivers that cause death on the roads.
It is likely that the charge of manslaughter will be used more often. Here’s an example of what will constitute various types of bad driving.
Dangerous driving could include:
* racing or competitive driving;
* disregarding warnings from fellow passengers;
* reading a newspaper/map;
* aggressive driving, such as sudden lane changes, cutting into a line of vehicles, or driving much too close to the vehicle in front;
Careless driving could include:
* driving inappropriately close to another vehicle;
* tuning a car radio;
* selecting and lighting a cigarette or similar where the driver was avoidably distracted by that use.
Inconsiderate driving could include:
* flashing of lights to force other drivers in front to give way;
* unnecessarily remaining in an overtaking lane;
* driving with un-dipped headlights which dazzle oncoming drivers;
* driving through a puddle causing pedestrians to be splashed;
* driving a bus in such a way as to alarm passengers.
Driving through a puddle? C’mon.-Martin Lynch
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
Comments
Result! No mention of eating a KFC twister whilst steering with your knees.
What happens if you flash another driver that is unnecessarily remaining in an overtaking lane?
"Driving through a puddle ? C’mon." I think you might want to check 'inconsiderate' in a dictionary.
I agree with Bob. As long as you've got a brain in your head you can understand that driving through a puddle will cause water to fly into the air. Then if there is a pedestrian near enough to said flying water, it will hit them. It doesn't take much to go around a puddle, therefore, inconsiderate.....or brain dead. Which ever.
@Joff
I wonder how people like that are even allowed to drive, some of my friends do it and I feel so embarrassed that I tell them to pull into the inside lane and explain the difference between a driving lane and an over taking lane on the motorway.
"driving through a puddle causing pedestrians to be splashed"
It's been in use since 1988, but you'll never see it used.
What is the slap down for P J O'Rourke's "How to Drive Fast on Drugs
While Getting Your Wing-Wang Squeezed
and Not Spill Your Drink"
i actually know a friend who drove through a puddle and splashed somebody. just so happened that a police car witnessed it, turned the blue-lights-of-death on and pulled him over. 3 points on his licence. Needless to say, my friend was a wee bit pissed off...lol
just noticed on this, look carefully at the phone, its facing the wrong way, that gentlemen is women drivers for you!
Driving thru a puddle and splashing someone is a driving offence right? So you swerve around it to avoid that and hit someone or someone hits you. Who is to blame? The pedestrian for not moving out of the way! Worth thinking about.
Just where are they going to find the prison space to lock these "offenders" up? We can't keep merders in prison now so they will fill the prisons with motorists and let the rapists and pedos out as well. The inmates are running the asylum again, I wish we could get rid of all our beloved politicians.
Sorry, spelling's a bit wonky. Started new year drinkys a bit early, hic.
i love splashing people :0( bo hooo
at least it only says cigarettes and not zooots :0)
yey !
It's about time drivers recognised that they are in control of dangerous machinery and should darn well be paying attention to what they're doing. And of course most people won't be slung in jail but a lot more fines could be levied to help pay for better infrastructure for public transport and cycling. A pipe dream, no doubt.