Re: Text Driver jailed for 4 years

Brimstone wrote:
TripleS wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article <fqc8j8$dv2$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Adrian <toomany2cvs@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) ("Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>)
gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
Because plenty think it's perfectly safe to use a phone on the
move.
So prosecute 'em for causing a danger if they are doing so.
Legislation is meant to tell them quite firmly it isn't.
No, it isn't. Is specific legislation needed to tell idiots that
it's not "perfectly safe" to fanny about with the satnav or stereo
whilst driving?
Car radios have been around for a long time and if it was obvious
they were causing a serious distraction if 'fannyed about with' on
the move would probably have been legislated against years ago. Car
TVs have been. Phones are a special case in that they distract the
driver to a much grater extent. And please don't tell me you haven't
noticed this.
With regard to car radios, we've always accepted that drivers will
adjust these whilst driving, and so far as I'm aware it has not led to
any particular problems. Unfortunately the mentality of the
authorities now seems to be different. They now seem to be
increasingly determined to ban specific activites where (according to
them) there is a possibility of that activity causing problems. I
find this quite unacceptable and we should be telling them to get
stuffed.
And no interpretation needed by courts or police as to what is or
isn't dangerous.
If it's not dangerous, then what's the problem? If it IS, then
evidence to the fact is required.
Dangerous driving would have to be proved. Making it illegal to use a
phone on the move removes that sort of proof being needed.

You might as well say we don't need any speed limits. Just an
offence of dangerous driving.

But we've done this before.
I take it you're one of the ones who uses a phone on the move?
Well I certainly do, occasionally, for a brief call, but only if the
situation is fairly undemanding and it doesn't interfere with the
driving task. That, to my mind, is perfectly reasonable, but
unfortunately it is illegal, and it shouldn't be.

I quite agree Dave, sadly not everyone is capable of exercising your level of self-discipline and consideration for what's going on around them.

Well that's the general area in which we should be seeking to improve ourselves, otherwise we're heading towards a situation where nobody will be allowed to do anything, in case somebody at some point makes a mistake.

Is the only answer therefore to have virtually all actions carried out and controlled for us by machines of some kind (as if that will guarantee perfect safety and efficiency at all times!) in which case is there really any need for us to be here at all?

Once again I'm sorry, gentlemen, for what must look like very pessimistic words, but at the current rate of 'progress' is it going to be worth being here as a human being in another fifty years? There shouldn't be the slightest doubt about that, but unless the politicians and the technology people can be made to change tack, I think life is going to feel devalued, rather than enriched and enhanced.

Best wishes all,
Dave.
.

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