Why are some people so blatant about using their phone while driving?

pgj2015 · 20-09-2021 11:36am #1

I see it so much, I never use my phone while driving but if I did, I would be really worried and paranoid that a guard would see me using it.

I just saw a guy driving a big dumper on the main road looking at his phone, great idea.

Do the guards not bother catching these people or why do they act like its perfectly normal behavior?

BronsonTB · 20-09-2021 11:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058209631/why-are-some-people-so-blatant-about-using-their-phone-while-driving

Only a tiny amount are actually caught...most Guards pass no heed (see this first hand)...Only the road traffic division will actually nail you hard if they catch you.

Should be higher penalties & a zero tolerance clamp down by every guard. Would soon change peoples views if they weren't able to drive legally as a result!

scottygee · 20-09-2021 11:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117914750#Comment_117914750

I'm in for higher penalties!

StevenToast · 20-09-2021 11:51am

Ive seen guards on the phone while driving....plenty of times...

They need to change that culture

pgj2015 · 20-09-2021 11:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117914750#Comment_117914750

I agree. I once saw some little $hit driving at 100 km per hour coming towards me texting. It is crazy behavior. like if he hit me, I probably woudlnt be here now, or might be in a wheelchair. ah but sure what does that matter, his friend was probably after sending him a text or he might have been checking if man united were winning.

Ray Palmer · 20-09-2021 2:18pm

I was cycling and indicated I was changing lanes wearing a high viz jacket. The woman in the lane swerved all over the place. . She looks at me and laughs "I thought you were are Garda because I was on the phone"

Me " Put your phone away as if you didn't notice I was a cyclist you weren't paying attention" Then she started cursing at me

I would like to be able to submit video of drivers on their phone while driving but they won't accept it

whisky_galore · 20-09-2021 2:33pm

Ah shur lookit, it's a road traffic offence only if you're caught by a guard.

Ah shur I never killed no-one when I was on the phone.

SimonTemplar · 20-09-2021 2:47pm

It is part of the typical 'rules don't apply to me' attitude that exists in this country.

Allinall · 20-09-2021 2:50pm

Saw a guy in a top of the range merc with the phone in his left hand, yabbering away into it.

His car would have all the connectivity you could ever need to talk on the phone hands free.

20-09-2021 3:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117915905#Comment_117915905

That doesn't bother me, too much, . At least he had his eyes on the road. I see drivers all the time, with the head down, eyes off the road, because they are looking at their phone.

Effects · 20-09-2021 3:15pm

No one really cares about drivers on their phones, that's why people have no issue with doing it.

Del2005 · 20-09-2021 3:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117914760#Comment_117914760

They are exempt from most road traffic laws so they aren't doing anything illegal. But they should lead by example and they are terrible at that.

POBox19 · 20-09-2021 3:26pm

Nodding texters. That what irks me.

mrslancaster · 20-09-2021 3:28pm

A few years ago we were on a bus from wexford to dublin and the driver was on his phone for most of the time, scary journey. Most of the other passengers didn't see it but we were in the seat directly behind. We didn't report it because he probably would have lost his job but always regretted that we didn't say something to the driver.

SimonTemplar · 20-09-2021 3:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916035#Comment_117916035

I care about it and it really does piss me off when I see it. People have literally been killed by drivers using their phones. But sadly some drivers are so selfish and irresponsible that they can't understand how dangerous it can be until it causes them to have an accident.

20-09-2021 3:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916035#Comment_117916035

I have a massive problem with people on phones in cars. I see it all the time. To drive a modern easy-drive automatic car you need your right foot, your two eyes, and your two hands in action (one hand to assist emergency steering scenario). There’s no other safe way of driving. Period.

Hands-free is something increasingly standard, but there is the human factor at play. Actively using hands-free means you are multitasking, and probably not giving sufficient attention to the road unless you are a very good multi-tasker, and most people is just don’t have that capacity. Great care is needed.

SAMTALK · 20-09-2021 3:43pm

It's the young lads on tractors using their phones that really boils me ...

No one should be using phones but these young lads are barely old enough to drive these big machines on narrow roads , no experience and still have phones in hand

20-09-2021 3:56pm

Driving requires FULL attention. Nobody has any business being on the road giving less that all their focus. A car has high kinetic energy and moves in an environment in close proximity to obstacles and other moving traffic. Most drivers are in denial of the great responsibility they owe to their passengers and fellow road users.

Effects · 20-09-2021 4:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916153#Comment_117916153

I'm with you, but I think we are in the minority. I'm constantly seeing drivers either breaking red lights while on the phone, or not noticing the light go green. It drives me mad. Gardaí generally don't care, which makes it worse.

20-09-2021 4:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916327#Comment_117916327

I’ve been giving out about it nonstop. The number of times I have to gently tap the horn because somebody hadn’t I served the change to green, is unreal, and worse still are the people who do t notice the change to red. Few people drive with the requisite amount of alertness.

20-09-2021 4:46pm

Travelling on the bus on M6, you are at the same level as truck drivers; the amount using phones is amazing. I know it's a boring road, they are usually massively experienced etc, but it is another aspect showing that this is normal behaviour on Irish roads. Would fixed camera traps, as in UK, do anything to reduce this?

pgj2015 · 20-09-2021 4:49pm

I was behind a car the other day, the lady driving was doing 40 miles an hour, I was wondering why she wasn't going 50 miles an hour as it was a good road, the reason was she was having a great auld chat on her phone. sums up the attitude of these kind of people, I will hold up the road because I want to talk on my phone. A bluetooth ear piece is only 20 to 30 euro.

Strumms · 20-09-2021 9:54pm

The technology is there and it’s in the range of everyone. There is no reason for it...but it’s still quite a prevalent thing on the roads. Can get a Bluetooth headset for about 40 euros.

Jinglejangle69 · 20-09-2021 9:58pm

What about truck drivers?

See them all the time.

Surely the company has to provide habdsdree.

AndrewJRenko · 26-10-2021 7:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916531#Comment_117916531

Exempt when in relation to the performance of their duties - not a blanket exemption.

Did anyone ask this Garda driver why she was taking a call at the wheel?

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/man-who-had-blue-lights-fitted-to-his-car-was-caught-pretending-to-be-a-garda-when-he-pulled-over-real-garda-c3-ad/ar-AAPIeNf

26-10-2021 7:41pm

I don't understand it. I'm a far more careful driver when I use my phone because I know any incident will be deemed to be my fault.

buried · 26-10-2021 8:17pm

Hundreds of thousands of people are plenty blatant about the fact they can't drive properly at all, looking at their phone while they continue to do it isn't going to bother them in the slightest

Why are some people so blatant about using their phone while driving?

Comments