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Source: ONE News -
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The use of mobile phones while driving is set to be banned and it appears the decision has divided the nation.
From November it will be illegal to talk or send texts while behind the steering wheel. And those who break the law will face an $80 fine and 20 demerit points.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says that driver distraction, particularly through the use of cellphones, is a real issue on New Zealand's roads.
Political parties and cellphone companies are welcoming the ban , as are a vast number of New Zealanders. However, there are also those who feel the ban is unnecessary or targeting the wrong issue.
Below is a sample of some of your opinions on the issue:
"As a Kiwi living in the UK where a similar law has been in force for some time now, I would support this change. However it is very difficult to enforce. You still see people using handheld mobiles here all the time without getting caught. Some people, particularly those driving more expensive cars, think they are above the law. I use handsfree all the time which is much safer." - MadDog.
"About time! If it works well in the UK and many Australian states, with millions of drivers observing the law, and being fined, it can work here. They are better and more courteous drivers there, too." - brandow98
"They are tackling the wrong issues. Where are the stats for accidents caused by tired drivers and drivers who have used drugs? I lost a staff member a few years back because of a tired driver. He worked a triple shift then drove, with his wife and kids in the car. He crossed the centre line and killed my worker instantly. He was fined - big deal. I think they are tackling something where they can be *seen* to be acting, not tackling the true causes of accidents." - cathrs.
"Any initative that reduces driver distraction must be considerd a good thing, however, could the Minister please explain the difference in "risk" between a person with two arms using a hand held and an amputee with one arm using a hands free? What's the distraction here, hands off the wheel or the conversation?" - Norm.
"Good to see a law on the statute book, however I do not believe that we have the resource availbale to enforce this initiative. I also believe there are other activities that drivers engage in that are equally able to distract them when behind the wheel. Wife or passenger nagging, smoking, changing CDs or fiddling with radio, drinking water, eating food." - Brianb.
"I personally do not answer my mobile should it ring whilst I am driving, I don't even entertain the idea of driving and texting, hell, I can't even WALK and text. This technology that we now have and have embraced has only been around for maybe 20 years, and even then it was limited before then. If a phone call had to be made or a person needed to be contacted, you rang the places from the landline, and passed on a message, that worked. Old technology WORKS still. Try it. Turn ya damn phone off." - bluetooth fairy.
"It's a crock of crap. Another way of the cops getting their quota. The radios in trucks are the same, hand held. Ipods are also hand held, so what is next, no music too? Get with the times, most txters can txt without looking so you won't stop us." - kazrolly.
"I hope this rule applies to the NZ police also, as they drive and operate their mobile phones at the same time and I think they should be setting an example to the public. Otherwise I am in favour of the rule and fully support it." - robertpowe.
"Fantastic. I am so sick of being involved in near misses with morons on their mobiles while they drive. Mobiles add a whole new dimension to defensive driving." - jennyb.
What do you think of the ban? Share your own view on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentswimmerd said on 2011-05-28 @ 10:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
I do not think they go far enough. The police should be given the powers to confiscate the mobile phone from the driver if thay are caught using it.
tomolly said on 2011-05-28 @ 08:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
Great ideal.The number of people talking on cellphones is amazing in Remuera. They drive their expensive cars but dont invest in something for hands free. Does this include the police as twice this week I have seen them on celllphones????
Alex said on 2009-11-02 @ 07:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
Mobile phone usage while driving hasn't caused that many road deaths. But just because it hasn't doesn't mean that it is right. It's a big distraction and drivers ought to wait until they pull over to answer the call or text. Or simply do it later if it is not important
blacksky said on 2009-10-26 @ 19:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
I guess this helps but there are so many other distractions what is the point. It would be better to put the time and effort in to better driver training than to pass new laws. I think distractions that are just as bad if not worse that I regularly see drivers doing include, kids, eating, MP3 players, stereos. Its not like we can ban these. Kids must be the biggest distraction, e.g. if your baby starts crying your natural reaction is to take your eyes off the road and look...cont next post...
mouthguard said on 2009-08-26 @ 10:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
The hard science shows us that there is no difference in risk between hands-free and normal phones while driving. Yet hands-free is still going to be OK. Another example of legislation missing the point. It is the distraction that is the problem, not the communication method as it turns out. Our cell-phone addiction is actually killing Kiwis on the road.