Texting with Stop Start Engine

Skully · 30 May 2012 at 06:52

Anyone do this?

My wife seems to think it's acceptable to sit at traffic lights texting when the engine turns itself off.

I on the other hand think it's reckless and should be treated the same as texting whilst driving.

I did a search online to see if anyone else has asked this, but mainly got pick up lines.

gumpy321 · 30 May 2012 at 06:56

I see it all the time, wether or not the car has a stop start engine. And it's mostly women.

It's obvious when it's either someone behind you or in front. You see their eyes look down all the time, then back up.

I think it should be treated the same as being on the phone when driving (I'm not too sure if it is). Three points and a fine.

Cosimo · 30 May 2012 at 07:50

A stupid thing to do as you are not in control of your vehicle. The action deserves points on your license.

Muffin` · 30 May 2012 at 07:52

How does one put on make up and text at the same time?

PhillyDee · 30 May 2012 at 08:18

No, stopping at traffic lights is to take another bite from the pie / pasty.

aproctor · 30 May 2012 at 08:21

gumpy321 said:
I think it should be treated the same as being on the phone when driving (I'm not too sure if it is). Three points and a fine.

It is.

What i find more hilarious is people who hold their phone with the speakerphone on.

Goksly · 30 May 2012 at 08:22

Reckless? Come off it... Yes you'll get the points, thats the law after all, but reckless... No, maybe a mild inconvenience when shes a bit slow to recognise the lights, but points for mobile phone use was not aimed at this type of scenario.

Matt82 · 30 May 2012 at 08:23

i was parallel with a police dog van in traffic the other day, driver texting away, later on when the traffic was crawling along, he was on the phone with it propped against his head with his shoulder.

imo i dont see an issue with texting whilst stuck in stationary traffic

"andy" · 30 May 2012 at 08:37

simulatorman said:
A stupid thing to do as you are not in control of your vehicle. The action deserves points on your license.

If your not in control of your stopped and switched off car then I don't even know

Booner! · 30 May 2012 at 09:05

When I went on my speed awareness course this girl had been caught for using her phone as she thought it was acceptable to use the iPhone 4S as she was using Siri whilst driving and so it was "hands free". She was a law graduate too, surely common sense comes into play somewhere?

Malc · 30 May 2012 at 09:10

Booner! said:
When I went on my speed awareness course this girl had been caught for using her phone as she thought it was acceptable to use the iPhone 4S as she was using Siri whilst driving and so it was "hands free". She was a law graduate too, surely common sense comes into play somewhere?

If the phone wasn't in her hand at the time, surely there is nothing wrong with this?

Horse Pop · 30 May 2012 at 09:10

Seems like a good way to get rear ended.

ubersonic · 30 May 2012 at 09:10

Booner! said:
When I went on my speed awareness course this girl had been caught for using her phone as she thought it was acceptable to use the iPhone 4S as she was using Siri whilst driving and so it was "hands free". She was a law graduate too, surely common sense comes into play somewhere?

Er, I fail to see anything wrong with this :confused:

Edit: Wait was she holding it in one hand while driving along? I assumed it would just be in a cup holder or screen mount or something, if so then I do see the problem lol.

IAmATeaf · 30 May 2012 at 09:10

From what I seem to recall, having the keys in the ignition is supposed to be enough to qualify for "in command of the vehicle", no idea if this is actually true though.

Whenever I need to take a call on the road, I always pull over and make sure I switch off and take the keys out of the ignition.

Booner! · 30 May 2012 at 09:52

Booner! said:
When I went on my speed awareness course this girl had been caught for using her phone as she thought it was acceptable to use the iPhone 4S as she was using Siri whilst driving and so it was "hands free". She was a law graduate too, surely common sense comes into play somewhere?

Malc said:
If the phone wasn't in her hand at the time, surely there is nothing wrong with this?

ubersonic said:
Er, I fail to see anything wrong with this

Edit: Wait was she holding it in one hand while driving along? I assumed it would just be in a cup holder or screen mount or something, if so then I do see the problem lol.

On her lap.

fornowagain · 30 May 2012 at 10:02

IAmATeaf said:
From what I seem to recall, having the keys in the ignition is supposed to be enough to qualify for "in command of the vehicle", no idea if this is actually true though.

Whenever I need to take a call on the road, I always pull over and make sure I switch off and take the keys out of the ignition.

Being in the driving seat, keys in ignition, sat in traffic. Engine running or not is more than enough ‘being in charge' to get done. Besides, just because the engine isn't running, queueing in traffic etc. The driver still needs to be completely aware of the road. Emergency vehicle might trying to get through, all kinds of scenarios. It's definitely reckless imo.

ubersonic · 30 May 2012 at 10:04

Booner! said:
On her lap.

Im not an expert on Siri, does she have to press buttons to operate it or is it a case of you receive a text and it tells you, you ask it to read it it does, you dictate back a text and it sends it?

In that case she was correct and you would think if she worked in law she could have just appealed lol, guess she's not particularly good at her job

jaybee · 30 May 2012 at 10:20

What does the law say about fiddling with a stereo/satnav/BigMac/Boobs whilst driving along then? Compared to Mobiles I mean.

Vonhelmet · 30 May 2012 at 10:35

IAmATeaf said:
From what I seem to recall, having the keys in the ignition is supposed to be enough to qualify for "in command of the vehicle", no idea if this is actually true though.

Whenever I need to take a call on the road, I always pull over and make sure I switch off and take the keys out of the ignition.

Didn't this point get discussed in the context of Kris Marshall being "drunk in charge" for being asleep, drunk, in his car? I don't recall the specifics or the conclusion, though.

Vonhelmet · 30 May 2012 at 10:37

jaybee said:
What does the law say about fiddling with a stereo/satnav/BigMac/Boobs whilst driving along then? Compared to Mobiles I mean.

Stereo and satnav are fixed to the car, so those are ok provided you're not "distracted", I think. Big Mac is arguably a problem. Boobs probably likewise.