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[Para045]

Originally Posted by Spock

+1
The problem with absolutes such as "He should be gaoled for using the phone" is that it is open to abuse.

For instance, the a few weeks ago I was stopped at the lights on the mighty CBR125R going between motorcycle lessons (I am an instructor) and while stopped the lights had a quick look at my phone to see the time. Note that no gymnastics are required for me to do this as my phone lives in a pouch on my backpack strap and is easily accessible.

Anyway, after a quick glance at the phone, I put it back, lights turn green and I take off. About 50m after the leaving the lights, police sirens come on and an unmarked Commodore pulls me over.

Now I had no clue what they were pulling me over for and it was only after the usual "Is this your bike?" "Have you got your licence?" etc., the cops finally tell me what I've done wrong: "Using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle" apparently.

I point out I just glanced at the screen while stationary but to no avail. Cops give me the 3rd degree. Only when I grovel and admit that I was a very bad boy and am VERY sorry do they finally let me off with a warning.

Now some of you may disagree - but this is bullshit. Why is it okay to take my glove off, unzip my jacket sleeve and roll it up to see the time on my watch but not to glance at the time on my phone? Alternatively I could keep a pocket watch on me and pull that out to see the time and I'd be A-OK legally.

For that matter, in cars, why is it okay to adjust your radio, light a cigarette, eat a sandwich, talk to your kids in the back seat etc, but now we are told it should be a gaol-able offence to pick up your phone and look at it?

As the good Captain said, some people need to get some perspective - and the police need to concern themselves with enforcing the SPIRIT of the Law and not the LETTER of the Law.

I would say they are just being wankers as having a mobile in your hand is not "using it" . If that was the case then they could give tickets to all unlicenced persons sitting in a parked car
ROAD TRAFFIC CODE 2000 - REG 265

Use of hand-held mobile phones
265 . Use of hand-held mobile phones
(1) On or after 1 July 2001, a driver shall not drive a motor vehicle and use a hand-held mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked.
Points: 1 Modified penalty: 2 PU
(2) In this regulation —
"mobile phone" does not include a CB radio or any other two-way radio.

Originally Posted by barfridge

Why are you allowed to talk on a 2-way radio while driving, but not a mobile?

Because if they banned that then all the CUNTstables, firemen, ambos, taxi drivers and others would be fucked and be unable to do their jobs
In fact Taxi drivers texting or whatever they do on those machines they have on the dash must be more dangerous than a mobile phone, then you have the new computer systems going in cop cars, can't tell me that isn't distracting