Be WARNED!!! (Mobile Phones use)

truckersworld · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:16 pm

Quote:

Twenty two lorry drivers had their licenses suspended for up to three weeks for using a mobile phone whilst driving this week (Monday July 26).

The heavy goods drivers were caught using their mobile phones during Operation Tramline – a police campaign to target dangerous motorists and reduce vehicle collisions in May.

A Driver Misconduct Hearing was held in Bristol on Monday, where Traffic Comissioner Sarah Bell highlighted the serious dangers of driving whilst using a mobile phone.

A further 25 of those caught flouting the law during Op Tramline will be at court in Birmingham later this week.

Sgt Mike Olding said: "Operation Tramline was a real success, and as a result, the Freight Transport Association has asked us to speak to the owners of freight companies at a number of regional seminars to remind them of their responsibility to help keep Avon and Somerset's roads safe. This is just part of the work we carry out every day to reduce casualties on our roads and I would like to thank the Traffic Commissioner for her support."

Sarah Bell added: "Drivers who persist in using hand held mobile phones, laptops and other mobile devices whilst driving place other road users at real risk. This hearing should sound a warning to transport operators that their vehicles must be operated within regulations and with consideration for others' safety - or their businesses will be affected."

Ian Gallagher, FTA's Policy manager for the South West, said: "The message that came out of the hearing was loud and clear: mobile phone use and driving doesn't mix. If you drive while using the phone you are putting your license and your livelihood in jeopardy. Even hands free calls can be an unwelcome distraction and will not be looked on kindly. FTA totally endorses the actions taken by the Traffic Commissioner and applauds the Operation Tramline initiative in its bid to make our roads safer by punishing offenders and raising awareness."

Operation Tramline saw Avon and Somerset's Roads Policing Unit use a new tool to target these dangerous drivers in May– a police lorry. Officers used the truck, lent to police by Volvo, to improve their view of coach, truck and lorry drivers flouting the law. Further operation are planned for later this year.

From Vas - LDF

Not just a fine now, but are they also suspending car drivers licences???

Boss · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:20 pm

This smacks of discrimination. I bet they don't suspend the licences of car drivers caught using their mobile phones.

ROG · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:27 pm

Boss wrote:

This smacks of discrimination. I bet they don't suspend the licences of car drivers caught using their mobile phones.

The LAW does not allow that for this offence which is why the basic licences of those LGV drivers caught did not get suspended - only the upgrade bit(s)

Having an upgrade brings extra responsibility and it is that extra responsibility which is being targetted by the TC

The upgade bit only gets targetted if the driver is using that upgrade bit at the time of the offence so a car driver on a hand held mobile who also has a LGV licence will not have the LGV bit suspended

truckersworld · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:31 pm

ROG wrote:

Boss wrote:

This smacks of discrimination. I bet they don't suspend the licences of car drivers caught using their mobile phones.

The LAW does not allow that for this offence which is why the basic licences of those LGV drivers caught did not get suspended - only the upgrade bit(s)

Having an upgrade brings extra responsibility and it is that extra responsibility which is being targetted by the TC

The upgade bit only gets targetted if the driver is using that upgrade bit at the time of the offence so a car driver on a hand held mobile who also has a LGV licence will not have the LGV bit suspended

Although I will condone anyone using a mobile while driving.

If the law states that using a phone means a fine and points, then as lorry drivers we are being punished twice for the same offence. ;bang;

ROG · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:43 pm

truckersworld wrote:

If the law states that using a phone means a fine and points, then as lorry drivers we are being punished twice for the same offence. ;bang;

How many times have I heard that one..... I lose count.......

When a driver accepts a LGV licence they accept the extra safety rules and the extra responsibility that goes with it
The same goes for accepting the rules covering the basic driving licence

This means that the LGV driver has accepted two sets of rules.

The legal 'offence' is only against the basic licence
The extra bit (LGV upgrade suspension) is not for the 'offence' but comes under the extra safety rules that the LGV driver accepted.
What the TC is saying is that the LGV driver was not driving the truck in a safe and acceptable manner and is not saying that the LGV licence has been suspended for driving whilst on a hand held mobile phone

depablo · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:25 pm **Posts:** 115

Operation Tramline?

Talk of upgrade bits and extra responsability, what a laugh this industry is.

Everyone wants to down tools and demand car drivers are targeted, you just have to stand at any set of traffic lights to see members of the public gassing on the phone. Then there's the boy racers running up and down the town centres, adding to global warming through totally unjustified journeys in their little pimp mobiles.

ROG maybe we need a TC to enforce the rules for UK car drivers, and can I ask did you get brainwashed by tin hat or injection?

;wup;

Boss · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:47 pm

ROG wrote:

When a driver accepts a LGV licence they accept the extra safety rules and the extra responsibility that goes with it
The same goes for accepting the rules covering the basic driving licence

This means that the LGV driver has accepted two sets of rules.

I don't recall signing an oath or being asked to agree to anything when I took my hgv Rog. Safety wasn't invented back then so that was definately not mentioned.

truckersworld · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:51 pm

ROG wrote:

truckersworld wrote:

If the law states that using a phone means a fine and points, then as lorry drivers we are being punished twice for the same offence. ;bang;

How many times have I heard that one..... I lose count.......

When a driver accepts a LGV licence they accept the extra safety rules and the extra responsibility that goes with it
The same goes for accepting the rules covering the basic driving licence

This means that the LGV driver has accepted two sets of rules.

The legal 'offence' is only against the basic licence
The extra bit (LGV upgrade suspension) is not for the 'offence' but comes under the extra safety rules that the LGV driver accepted.
What the TC is saying is that the LGV driver was not driving the truck in a safe and acceptable manner and is not saying that the LGV licence has been suspended for driving whilst on a hand held mobile phone

ROG
I know the rules and do not need them stating. ;bang

In principle we are still being done twice for the same offence of driving while using a mobile phone

ROG · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:55 pm

Boss wrote:

I don't recall signing an oath or being asked to agree to anything when I took my hgv Rog. Safety wasn't invented back then so that was definately not mentioned.

Bet you don't remember doing so when you passed your basic test either ....
I am quite sure that everything you want to know about this is in the road traffic act but I am not that adept in reading law - perhaps ETS could enlighten us on the legal specifics of holding a particular type of licence.........

ROG · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:58 pm

truckersworld wrote:

In principle we are still being done twice for the same offence of driving while using a mobile phone

Simple answer to that - only do the offence when driving a non-LGV then the offence will only come under one set of rules

truckersworld · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:09 pm

ROG wrote:

truckersworld wrote:

In principle we are still being done twice for the same offence of driving while using a mobile phone

Simple answer to that - only do the offence when driving a non-LGV then the offence will only come under one set of rules

I don't do it ;bang

and as stated in my post I also condone it.

Get of your high horse and see the injustice of Truck Drivers being targetted again instead of just stating rules all the time of which most of us know.

daddygnome · **Joined:** Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:28 pm **Posts:** 313

I must agree with Rog , you DO take on extra responsibilty when driving HGV , and should behave appropriately

;wup;

Boss · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:19 pm

Why do you take on extra responsibility though? are not ALL vehicle drivers responsible for their and other road users safety? are we all not meant to drive responsibly and courteously at all times?
Can a car not carry a small suitcase loaded with radioactive material that could take out 6 square miles if it were to take a sudden knock? its not only hgv's that carry loads and are heavy e.t.c.

We are all subject to the same highway code.

truckersworld · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:21 pm

daddygnome wrote:

and should behave appropriately

;wup;

but
Those stupid enough to do so and get caught deserve to be punished, but not twice.

£1500 loss of wages is one big fine.

Imp · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:45 pm

I was in slme stop satr traffic on the A1 a few days back and I counted 12 drivers in about 5 minutes on hand held phones all cars and vans but one was a PC. ;lol;

ROG · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:10 pm

The HC and the LAW have nowt to do with any of this - it is simply the extra responsibility issue here

If I were in a car loaded with explosives and using a mobile then I might get done on more than one legal charge - endangering the lives of others could possibly be a second charge.....

Is it wrong for an army private who steals from a civvy superstore to be punished by the courts and by the army ?? - of course not as that private has signed up for that in the same way that the LGV driver signs for the upgrade on the D2 form

daddygnome · **Joined:** Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:28 pm **Posts:** 313

@ Boss,
why do you take on extra responsiblity ? Simply because of the extra weight of your veh. , which obviously will do a lot more damage than the average car or van.
Yup the scenario with the car carrying radio active material COULD
happen but I feel it is much less likely to happen than an HGV going out of control due to the driver using a handheld phone , don't you ?
I have followed more than enough heavies being driven badly only to get alongside to see the wally behind the wheel using said phone .
For my opinion, ANYTHING done to cut down on this is very welcome

The heavier the punishment the more the deterrent effect both on the guilty party and possibly others reading about it

Imp · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:31 pm

They should lock up the bloke who trainered the HGV driver in the first place for failing to teach everything! ;lol;

ROG · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:38 pm

Imp wrote:

They should lock up the bloke who trainered the HGV driver in the first place for failing to teach everything! ;lol;

Like many things - well taught and then ignored

YES - I know you mean it tongue-in-cheek ;lol;

Imp · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:48 pm

ROG wrote:

Imp wrote:

They should lock up the bloke who trainered the HGV driver in the first place for failing to teach everything! ;lol;

Like many things - well taught and then ignored

YES - I know you mean it tongue-in-cheek ;lol;

Your taught to pass a test not taught to drive in the real world.
Thats another thread altogether though!

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