[eye30]

Some of the UK’s largest car insurers are refusing to cover motorists caught using their phones at the wheel, new research shows.

As part of a crackdown on drivers caught texting or calling without the use of hands-free kits, insurers are imposing premiums by up to 32% and in some cases outright refusing to cover – even for first time offenders.


http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/news/car-insurers-refuse-to-cover-mobile-phone-offenders.html

Is this happening in other countries??

[asathorny]

Excellent......  bout time something serious was done about it.   Mind you, many of the brain dead who do it would prolly just go ahead n drive without insurance....

Do I sound a wee bit cynical ????? 

[Shambles]

For once I'm behind the insurers.

As for those who risk it, it's their call...

[Dazzler]

Great way to discourage the practice ....

[Ugly Mongrel]

I think the way to stamp this practice out is to allow police officers to seize and destroy the mobile handset ON THE SPOT.

If you knew that if you were caught using a mobile while driving that Constable Plod could take it off you, throw it on the ground and crunch it under his boot or rearrange it's internals with a baton, then you might thing twice.

Increasing fines to a substantial amount, and I mean SUBSTANTIAL, would also help.

Have a look at this link, the Netherlands have the right idea.

http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/

[Dazzler]

Great link Terry 

[Phil №❶]

Notice how "United" the United Sates are 

[Doggie 1]

Great link and India does pretty well too.
I agree re the confiscation law - that would get rid of a lot of it. 
I mean, they confiscate your car under the hoon legislation so why not your phone?

[rustynutz]

Well, I reckon it sucks, just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash out of you.....

And I just love the jack boot approach.....not!   

[Ugly Mongrel]

Well, I reckon it sucks, just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash out of you.....

And I just love the jack boot approach.....not!   

rustynutz, this stupid idea that a fine for a traffic infringement  being "just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash" is wrong. Commit the offence, pay the fine. Not happy with that??? Then don't commit the offence...pretty simple, really.

[Phil №❶]

Confiscation is one thing, destruction is another. Pay the fine, get your phone back after 28 days. Most young people would be having withdrawl symptoms by then.

[Ugly Mongrel]

Confiscation is one thing, destruction is another. Pay the fine, get your phone back after 28 days. Most young people would be having withdrawl symptoms by then.

I agree, Phil. Confiscation = temporary loss. Destruction = permanent loss.

I don't know why you single out young people here. It's anybody.

[Phil №❶]

Just observation, I guess 

[Surferdude]

Confiscation is one thing, destruction is another. Pay the fine, get your phone back after 28 days. Most young people would be having withdrawl symptoms by then.

Great ideas.
Second offence = 3 months confiscation.
Third offence = jack boot treatment on the spot.

[Doggie 1]

Well, I reckon it sucks, just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash out of you.....

And I just love the jack boot approach.....not!   

rustynutz, this stupid idea that a fine for a traffic infringement  being "just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash" is wrong. Commit the offence, pay the fine. Not happy with that??? Then don't commit the offence...pretty simple, really.

Fines are voluntary donations. 
And as for confiscation, if it's yet another "three strikes & you're out" policy, people will continue to run the risk and will still do it.
Plus you've then got all the storage issues, duty of care isues, etc etc.
For mobile phones I think it should be a "one strike" policy.
Do it & lose it.
Or don't & keep it.
Your choice - quite simple really.

[rustynutz]

Well, I reckon it sucks, just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash out of you.....

And I just love the jack boot approach.....not!   

rustynutz, this stupid idea that a fine for a traffic infringement  being "just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash" is wrong. Commit the offence, pay the fine. Not happy with that??? Then don't commit the offence...pretty simple, really.

My first comment was actually aimed at the insurance companies, UM.... 

As for talking on a mobile, I believe there's a time and place, just like speeding....both can be dangerous, both can be done safely too......

Btw, how many of us have talked on a mobile while driving in recent times? 

[Doggie 1]

I have blue tooth so can do it legally.
The current law here states that the phone must be secured in a cradle and you can press a button to answer a call & hang up.
If you handle the phone though by holding it, or having it in your lap, etc,  you commit an offence.

[asathorny]

Btw, how many of us have talked on a mobile while driving in recent times? 

Never...  My daughter started to once...  I screamed 'stop the car', she pulled over in a panic wanting to know what was wrong.....   I let her have both barrels (I use this euphemism just for you) I then later bombarded her email addy with photographs of lunatics who have died doing this....     

[eye30]

Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

[baroudeur]

Some of the UK’s largest car insurers are refusing to cover motorists caught using their phones at the wheel, new research shows.

As part of a crackdown on drivers caught texting or calling without the use of hands-free kits, insurers are imposing premiums by up to 32% and in some cases outright refusing to cover – even for first time offenders.

Just to get it in context.  If motoring offences were to result in loss of insurance cover then there would a lot less cars on the roads.

Third party cover cannot be revoked as it is  required legally although an insurer could attempt to recover any pay out through a civil action.  It is equally unlikely that comprehensive cover would be revoked.

Increased premiums are always likely after being convicted of any motoring offence  or PCN and renewal or refusal of a NEW application for insurance because of  a phone offence alone  is most unlikely.

[succulant]

Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

Perhaps but the number of people I know who are locked into £30+ a month contracts is crazy and phones are £400 to buy without one.

[eye30]

Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

Perhaps but the number of people I know who are locked into £30+ a month contracts is crazy and phones are £400 to buy without one.

You can pick up a - pay as you go - for less than £20 and all they would do is throw away when they get their own back .

Or keep it handy for next time they get it taken off them...

[succulant]

Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

Perhaps but the number of people I know who are locked into £30+ a month contracts is crazy and phones are £400 to buy without one.

You can pick up a - pay as you go - for less than £20 and all they would do is throw away when they get their own back .

Or keep it handy for next time they get it taken off them...

I don't think those people would last a day with a £20 non-smartphone 

[eye30]

Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

Perhaps but the number of people I know who are locked into £30+ a month contracts is crazy and phones are £400 to buy without one.

You can pick up a - pay as you go - for less than £20 and all they would do is throw away when they get their own back .

Or keep it handy for next time they get it taken off them...

I don't think those people would last a day with a £20 non-smartphone 

True.

Have you noticed how public payphones are disappearing from our street and even in public places they can be hard to find. 
Just shoved in some corner which is well out of the public view.

[baroudeur]

Have you noticed how public payphones are disappearing from our street and even in public places they can be hard to find. 
Just shoved in some corner which is well out of the public view.

Have you seen the price to use them?  No wonder they are disappearing fast.

[asathorny]

Who wants to use a public lavatory, Oops I mean phone.  The smell of stale urine is.... well lets just get rid of them all NOW 

[rustynutz]

Who wants to use a public lavatory, Oops I mean phone.  The smell of stale urine is.... well lets just get rid of them all NOW 

All well and good to say that, but believe it or not, there are actually people out there that don't have a mobile.....

And, a public phone is handy if you're in an area with no mobile coverage....