Aussies disregard the law, continue yapping while driving
By Darren Murph 
posted Dec 12th 2006 11:59AM
posted Dec 12th 2006 11:59AM
While it should probably be a foregone conclusion that using your cellphone whilst driving isn't the safest approach to get from point A to point B, there's no denying that some folks are still passing the miles by yapping it up. While Americans have passed some legislation (or at least tried to) to quell the use of cellphones / handsfree devices while in the vehicle, the Aussies apparently aren't upholding their own laws. A George Institute road safety study has recently found that "60-percent" of drivers are using their handset in some form or fashion while cruising, while over "12-percent" admitted to actually constructing text messages while switching lanes and dodging traffic. Despite the hazardous nature of their actions, it appears that motorists are continuing to talk due to the lack of enforcement, as "70-percent" of those surveyed felt that they wouldn't be caught. While we're not exactly sure if driving talkers should go to prison (like in Malaysia), the cops from Down Under seemingly need to step it up a notch, but who says they aren't burning through the minutes with sirens blazing too, eh?
I'm not an Aussie and we dont' yet have that law here but I always try to stay off the phone while in the car unless absolutely important. And when I can't I always have a headset at least.
I don't think they should go to prison but a fine might snap them out of it.
I always see cops on the phone while driving. They're setting a bad example.
I'll plead guilty to text messaging while on the freeway =x
I like the really old Nextel phone on the sign.
You heard about 32GB to a card on phone?
Gah, I'll definitely say the laws are a good thing. After getting rear ended last month from some idiot using his phone (I'm in Australia, Queensland actually) I was glad to see him get the $300 or so fine and 3 points lost.
Here in NJ, USA it's the law: Hands Free Only. No one, including State Troopers (our "good example" SuperCops) abide by that law.
This just has to be the least enforced law in the country. Even though my wife and I both have built-in car phones, we still try to use them as little as possible. Two years ago we got hit by a woman driving while her brains were connected to a cell phone. Once I had got my wife and myself out of the totalled car and the ditch, that woman was ON THE PHONE. On her way to the median she had hit yet another woman. Both stood next to each other, on the phone. Obviously neither one cared what had become of us.
How on earth could we ever manage before those cell phones????