I'm allowed to use my phone and drive pal?????
 

On my regular commute I came across this driver using his phone. He seemed to think it was ok to use his phone and drive. Perhaps I should just mind my own business but I couldn't help having a chat with him.

Eh, you're all on the wrong side of the road anyway mate.

What are the laws there... are you allowed to use a phone and drive?

Some places do not have laws against mobile phone use and driving... such as Texas*... where you ARE allowed to talk and drive... How about down under... Whats the law? The police didn't seem all that jolly about jumping on "the evidence."


Cell Phones

So bottom line, not all jurisdictions, nor all people consider mobile phone use while driving a "scourge to humanity."

Well I'm surprised to hear that its legal anywhere to use a mobile phone in your hands while driving. Go Texas.

Its definitely illegal in Australia. The only possible way is if its in a bracket. If its not, you can't use it for texting, initiating calls or anything. Its commonly known, there are big public safety campaigns about it, and I'm pretty sure this driver knows, but he's denying it, and trying to throw blame on the cyclist, because he's a child.

Note also that he's crossed the stopping line and his wheels have almost crossed the pedestrian crossing beyond that. Thats another infringement - minor, but its another example of his carelessness and poor driving.

My informal observations show anywhere form 10% on a good day to 30% on a bad day of motorists using cell phones at any given time. It seems like a lot more at a casual glance but I have done several counts at busy areas and have never hit 50%. Now I believe something line 90% will happily use their phone while driving, they just don't all do it at the same time.

So if I had a chat with even half of them I would never get anywhere.

My informal observations seem to show that those who are in the biggest rush... driving during rush hour and speeding on crowded roads also tend to be the folks most often using the phone while driving.

Not sure if it is just the personality of these particular people, or the time at which they are driving or what... but it all sums up to the most aggressive drivers also tend to be those that may likely be distracted too.

I notice very few motorists driving while using cell phones on quiet Saturday and Sunday mornings during low traffic periods.

I think you have it right. The person who is in a rush, is also trying to multi task and wants to save time by using the phone while driving. Typically they are late for something, and try to get there quickly. That's why they get upset about something in the way. Like maybe a cyclist or a pedestrian. Or a slower car. Or a traffic light, etc.

Spending 10 hours a day on the road in the Seattle metropolitan area, I completely agree with both posts. And it boils down to one simple thing, some people know they're better than the rest of us, we're simply in their way.
I've also noticed that the most egregious behavior tend to be from the 2 extremes of the socioeconomic spectrum. The masters of the economic universe, and feral urban youth both seem to take great pride in being selfish.

Correct !!

I call them the "Entitled" people where I live.

The driver is stopped at a red light.

Driver is a knob.

From the local roads authority FAQ page on phones (http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/usingroads...ilefaqs.html):

[h=3]Can you use all of the functions of your mobile phone while stationary in a traffic queue, or stopped at traffic lights?[/h]No. You will be subject to the same laws as if your car was moving. You can only use all of the functions of your mobile phone if your vehicle is parked -– off the road. However, it is recommended that you switch your engine off before using your phone.

Whether legal or not,it's not a good idea....Nothing on the phone is worth your life.Chances are you'll only get 1 bike to car accident in your life,you won't have to worry about you precious phone after that.

In L.A. half the cars have side windows so dark,they could have a shotgun next to my head and I wouldn't know......The half that I can see,half of them are on the phone......or scratching their ass...:)

Probably illegal and unsafe to use a phone in a car, but still I tend to not like know it alls who stick their noses into others' business randomly like that.