Hands free ban in France. (1 Viewer)

[New Dawn]

Just been informed of this ban. Ideal in one way. Just don't let the other half talk whilst driving in France. past a gendarme, or even police car, in case they think your on the phone. At last !!! Our ears get a well deserved rest. Peace & quite, only the radio to listen to.

 

[scotjimland]

should also ban them here

more info

Broken Link Removed

also a good move

Zero tolerance on alcohol for young drivers

Despite several shock campaigns aimed at dissuading young people from drink-driving, it appears they have failed to work and the government has decided to get tough. There will be a zero tolerance approach towards young people and drink driving. The legal alcohol limit will be reduced from the current 0.5mg/ml to 0.2mg/ml for young drivers, which is basically the equivalent of less than a half a pint.

 

[Reallyretired]

The hands free bit seems to be talking about these ones thst fit in your ear or other headsets. The hands free in my car is part of it and cannot be removed.
The hands free as far as I am concerned is not a distraction as I get very few calls, but I do find passengers talking to me a distraction, so don't answer if they talk to me, they usually take the hint and stop.

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[John & Joan]

I can make my Nuvi5000 SatNav act as a hands free phone. No need to touch anything and the phone can even be in the back if the MH out of reach.

This may be of interest:
http://www.fleetpoint.org/top-news/drivers-norfolk-get-mobile-warning/28740/
Following a successful trial, a new system that detects whether a mobile phone is being used in a vehicle is about to be rolled out across Norfolk.

The Mobile Phone Detection System (MPDS) is a portable system which identifies whether people are using their mobile phone in a vehicle.

The MPDS is part of the latest enforcement and promotional campaign being run by the Think! Norfolk road safety partnership to remind drivers that using a mobile when behind the wheel is one of the biggest causes of accidents and fatalities on our roads.

The rollout came following a national enforcement campaign in the county last month which targeted drivers using mobile phones.

So far the MPDS is exclusive to Norfolk but it has been welcomed by many road safety groups as an innovative way to get the message across to drivers that using your mobile while driving is one of the most dangerous driving behaviours.

The system targets those using a mobile phone in a vehicle whether on a phone call or receiving/sending a text message… although the daft thing is it can’t differentiate if the mobile phone is being used by a passenger or not which may leave the driver feeling unfairly persecuted or paranoid about prosecution.

Norfolk Constabulary is warning that if drivers are caught using a mobile phone while behind the wheel they will be given a £60 fixed penalty notice and have their licence endorsed with 3 penalty points. This fine can also rise to £1000 if taken to court and £2500 if driving a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle.

Iain Temperton, Road Safety Manager at Norfolk County Council, added: “The system can’t detect whether its a passenger using a phone in a vehicle or whether a hands-free device is being used. But of course, those people don’t need to be worried if they get a flash from the sign.”

 

[Forestboy]

Ban drinking completely as far as I'm concerned I see no point in having a limit which no one understands.
Hands free yeah we have one a Parrot in van and an automated one standard in the car. Both are dangerous even though hands stay on the wheel amazing how when you've finished a conversation you have no idea about the driving you've just done can't be good for concentration.

 

[bungy]

I can make my Nuvi5000 SatNav act as a hands free phone. No need to touch anything and the phone can even be in the back if the MH out of reach.

This may be of interest:
http://www.fleetpoint.org/top-news/drivers-norfolk-get-mobile-warning/28740/
Following a successful trial, a new system that detects whether a mobile phone is being used in a vehicle is about to be rolled out across Norfolk.

The Mobile Phone Detection System (MPDS) is a portable system which identifies whether people are using their mobile phone in a vehicle.

The MPDS is part of the latest enforcement and promotional campaign being run by the Think! Norfolk road safety partnership to remind drivers that using a mobile when behind the wheel is one of the biggest causes of accidents and fatalities on our roads.

The rollout came following a national enforcement campaign in the county last month which targeted drivers using mobile phones.

So far the MPDS is exclusive to Norfolk but it has been welcomed by many road safety groups as an innovative way to get the message across to drivers that using your mobile while driving is one of the most dangerous driving behaviours.

The system targets those using a mobile phone in a vehicle whether on a phone call or receiving/sending a text message… although the daft thing is it can’t differentiate if the mobile phone is being used by a passenger or not which may leave the driver feeling unfairly persecuted or paranoid about prosecution.

Norfolk Constabulary is warning that if drivers are caught using a mobile phone while behind the wheel they will be given a £60 fixed penalty notice and have their licence endorsed with 3 penalty points. This fine can also rise to £1000 if taken to court and £2500 if driving a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle.

Iain Temperton, Road Safety Manager at Norfolk County Council, added: “The system can’t detect whether its a passenger using a phone in a vehicle or whether a hands-free device is being used. But of course, those people don’t need to be worried if they get a flash from the sign.”

would i be right in assuming they mean using - as in holding it to make calls?

or using as in, my phone is in my bag in the boot but im on a call through the Bluetooth set up in the car and control on the wheel in front of me...as are the stereo, cruise control and all the other bits and bobs?

If its the former - yeah good! if its the latter..well...what next...banning the radio and talking in a car?????

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[scotjimland]

even though hands stay on the wheel amazing how when you've finished a conversation you have no idea about the driving you've just done can't be good for concentration.

I agree, and I've always maintained it's not the physical part of using a phone that is dangerous, but the conversation that distracts .. .

 

[DBK]

"Hans free" the German lady said as she left the divorce court.

 

[Forestboy]

If its the former - yeah good! if its the latter..well...what next...banning the radio and talking in a car?????

Should ban talk about Welsh Rugby in all vehicles or public places that would get my vote.
Mate

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[WillH]

When I was working one of my responsibilities was the company Health and Safety Policy Document, as we were a multinational company operating ferries it was quite a hefty manual. I always had trouble explaining to senior managers that "hands-free" telephone systems fitted to company vehicles were prohibited by this document. We deemed them unsafe to use whilst driving. I still hold the same view.

 

[pappajohn]

There will be a zero tolerance approach towards young people and drink driving. The legal alcohol limit will be reduced from the current 0.5mg/ml to 0.2mg/ml

So which is it to be.....zero tolerance or 0.2mg

Zero tolerance is exactly that...zero, nothing, nada. Zilch.

 

[Wildbill]

I switch my phone and don't switch it back on till I have stopped or finished my journey
bill

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[busby]

Ban drinking completely as far as I'm concerned I see no point in having a limit which no one understands.
Hands free yeah we have one a Parrot in van and an automated one standard in the car. Both are dangerous even though hands stay on the wheel amazing how when you've finished a conversation you have no idea about the driving you've just done can't be good for concentration.

Fully agree but the old CB for some reason did not cause the same lack of concentration. I was terrible for using phone years ago but after having a near miss i never never even look to see who is ringing..Can always pull up when it is safe..Nothing is that important it cannot wait ten minutes. BUSBY

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
When doing a trip with a passenger/mate chatting away in the cab,it took longer than when being on my own in the lorry.... Diastraction ? Yes.......... Or was i driving more carefully ?....... This is a tough one to call.
Tea Bag
PS ...Distraction as well....LOL

 

[cruiser]

its all right for the police to use them when driving solo. and its alright for people to smoke. until you stop all it will take life's.

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[tofo]

Got differant ringtones for important callers
Eg Mrs t ,son and daughter,

Phone. Rings pull over turn engine off
keys out ring em back

Anyone else tuff wait till journey end

 

[DanielFord]

So which is it to be.....zero tolerance or 0.2mg

Zero tolerance is exactly that...zero, nothing, nada. Zilch.

The reason that it isn't zero is because you don't need to have had an alcoholic drink to produce a reading of breath alcohol. Mouth wash contains alcohol, in fact the human body will produce alcohol after consumption of some sugary foods! Hence it is totally unenforceable to have a zero limit that has no discretion.

 

[gus-lopez]

The hands free bit seems to be talking about these ones thst fit in your ear or other headsets. The hands free in my car is part of it and cannot be removed.
The hands free as far as I am concerned is not a distraction as I get very few calls, but I do find passengers talking to me a distraction, so don't answer if they talk to me, they usually take the hint and stop.

The article appears only to be talking about bluetooth ear piece, head phones etc; all of which are totally banned here. Only a completely hands free auto answer/disconnect is legal.
I agree with other posters in that talking on any phone system is the same as talking to a passenger. You do not have undivided attention on the road.

Another point in the article re; tinted windows isn't going to get far as the EU already had multiple fines pending & enforced against any country , greece being the worst, that does not allow tinting under EU rules.

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[busby]

There are no police patrols anywhere now days so really you can please your self...BUSBY

 

[sedge]

Our son-in-law WAS on his mobile phone talking as they drew towards the exit on a busy French supermarket carpark a couple of years ago. A gendarme stopped them and was waving and pointing at something, so he put the phone down on the dash, raised both hands and waved back at the policeman, who first looked as if he was about to explode - and then laughed and waved them on.

Yes - our daughter was driving on that occasion!

 

[Bobby22]

My son-in-law was stopped and accused of using his phone while driving. He denied he was on his phone and didn't have his phone with him. They threatened to search the car and my granddaughter....luckily she didn't have her phone with her either.
The police were wrong and were reluctant to admit it, eventually leaving saying "we'll give you the benefit of the doubt"
I have heard of another who was not so lucky.

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[irnbru]

I dont really see what the big deal is. If you are completely hands free talking or have passengers in the vehicle thats talking to you, your still talking all the same.

 

[Reallyretired]

Passengers talking to you is more distracting. I have even seen drivers looking at them while conversing. That must rank with watching tv or texting.

 

[mjltigger]

Passengers talking to you is more distracting. I have even seen drivers looking at them while conversing. That must rank with watching tv or texting.

The nannyists say a present passenger will see the danger ahead and stop talking whereas the phone caller won't. Of course the nannyists are all virgins so don't realise kids are oblivious and will whine and moan all the way into the brick wall

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[scotjimland]

So which is it to be.....zero tolerance or 0.2mg

Zero tolerance is exactly that...zero, nothing, nada. Zilch.

ZERO LIMIT .. and ZERO TOLERANCE are different measurements.. one is a a level of alcohol.. the other the amount you can exceed the limit ..

zero tolerance is not about the alcohol level .. tolerance is about the willingness to accept someones behavior.. in this example they will have zero tolerance..

The limit they have set for that is 0.2mg .. they will not tolerate even a tiny amount above that.. hence zero tolerance.

you could set the limit wherever .. say 5mg .. and have zero tolerance if you exceed it.

 

[magicsurfbus]

Well as long as the French don't ban me from talking to the voices in my head when I'm driving - I find it's far too hot to wear the tinfoil helmet in summer.

The voices say they agree with me.

 

[robnchris]

I wonder what will be banned next, surely looking down at your instruments is more of a distraction that having a totally hands free kit fitted like the Parrot system or a hands free fitted radio.

Using the logic some people have you would need to be isolated from any passengers so you could`t be distracted from any conversation, all radios/cd`s would be banned.
Sat navs are definitely out which would stop you arguing back saying I`m not going that way!!!
You would`t be able to tell the taxi driver where you wanted dropping, "just here cabbie"

What about those big advertising screens along the motorways, they are very distracting.

Without doubt the lunatics are running the asylum!!!

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[Deleted34567]

Agree with robnchris.
It's revenue generating exercise in the form of fines.
Hand free kits in all my vehicles, I won't be removing them.
And yes, I will continue to use the phone..... screw ANY of them... as far as I'm concerned it's my livelihood and business they are trying to stop...... won't happen mate !.... Laws are made to be greatly bent and by Jesus I'll bend this one.

 

[Larby]

The nannyists say a present passenger will see the danger ahead and stop talking whereas the phone caller won't. Of course the nannyists are all virgins so don't realise kids are oblivious and will whine and moan all the way into the brick wall

Oh you live on a busy school run road then ? The drivers are often looking at the children on the way to school and then peering down on the way back, clearly checking the 'fone for missed calls and messages.
I reckon that "holding" the converation is as bad as "holding" the 'fone. I'm sure we have all seen drivers waving their arms around. Some are so engrossed it's as if they are face to face with that person.
I get my wife to take my calls but then I listen intently as she passes the message and I reply. It really is as bad as taking the call personally.
Why my holier than thou attitude? I got nicked for using 'fone 6 years ago, my insurance went up, I was too ashamed to tell wife and never have, and had a few close shaves as well.

 

[MitchandJenny]

Phone is built into the Radio on our van.. But the only person I WOULD answer the phone for, when behind the wheel, is sat beside me... ...
When I was a young REME "squadie in Germany in the 60's we were often in "convoy"
on autobahns. To brighten up the journey, my mate (in the passenger seat on the left) had an old steering wheel and he used to pretend to be asleep leaning against the window, holding the "dummy" steering wheel... The number of germans going by "honking" their horns trying to wake him up was hilarious !!!
Happy daze.. Mitch..

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