...at long last.... 8)...!
In England, (as in California), it is to become illegal later this year to "use" a mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle.
I have lost count of the number of time I have nearly been knocked off my motor-bike by drivers carrying out long conversations while driving and changing gear one-handed, completely oblivious as to anyone around them.
Lorry drivers negotiating roundabouts and busy towns one handed while obtaining instructions from the boss back at base, etc...
It is already an offence here to be distracted and therefore not in full control of a  vehicle, but no-one seems to bother.
BUT....
After the law is finally passed it will incur a fixed fine of £60 and three penalty points on the licence, and a further fine of £1000 if the case goes to court and the complainant looses the case.
Flippin' good-oh...!

What is your opinion...?

Cheers all... ...!
Paul.
(England).

Hi Craig, my old mate.....!

..there seems to be a psychological difference in having very short discussions with a passenger, who is often very careful not to talk to the driver if the situation outside the vehicle needs acute consentration by the driver.
Or listening to a radio in the background but still concentrating on the view outside the vehicle.
BUT...
Listening to a long conversation on a mobile phone at an in-appropriate time will lead to a complete lack of concentration by the driver and the inevitable accident.
...even using a "hands-free" mobile phone... ...!

Cheers mate... ...!
Paul.
(England).

P.S.  ...I would imagine that the Police and emergency vehicle drivers are fully trained in responding to the radio and having full control of their vehicles at all times.
I don't think that Joe Bloggs in his Ford Cortina is as competent.... ...!

Well that is good to hear. We here in New York were the 1st state to have that law!! Still when driving you will see somwbody laughing and talking up a storm while juggling a phone, totally oblivious to everything and everyone around them.
It carries a fine here and still people do not use hands free accesories. They basically give you the hands free devices with the purchase of a phone. I myself have a little "ear piece" that you place in your ear and believe it or not....it is really very comfortable.
At first it was weird to see people with these "headsets" on while driving..now they are so small and comfortable, that the people who do not use them are the ones who stand out.

Dave  8)

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Not only listening but trying to answer. I can recall several occasions when I was almost knocked of my feet by some idiot pedestrian using a mobile phone.  These people are in a little world all of their own & oblivious to their surroundings. Come to think of it, maybe these infernal contraptions should be banned in all public places. Then us innocent bystanders wouldn't be subjected to the usual load of drivel we constantly have to put up with. I thought this is supposed to be the ultimate in technology so why do they always need to shout down the things?  ???

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Unless they changed procedures I thought police & emergency vehicles are usually crewed by 2 officers. I would hope that the driver's partner would handle the phone, radio or whatever they use for communication.  

PS. No - I don't own or use a mobile phone. Never felt the need for one.  How did you guess?  8)

Yep banned here in New York...

Very annoying to be cut off or having someone blow a stop light and see them on the phone.  People really do become completely abosrbed and don't pay attention.  And with one hand on the wheel reaction time is that much slower.  Still people don't use them and you can always show them the birdy for it!

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Excellent idea Fozzer. I can think of a few offenders I would willingly escort to their seats. Any idea when the next shuttle is due? 

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Such as "I'm on the train!" 

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This is a point I often make with my dad. You don't need to shout down phones no more!