Your help is needed - Manufacturer seeks your assistance

[Darren]

On occasion we get approached by manufacturers seeking the assistance of our ever growing readership and this is one such occasion.

This time it is for a very interesting potential product designed for motorist safety. We've been asked not to reveal any details of the actual gadget or indeed identify the manufacturer at this stage but they would welcome your assistance with a very quick user survey.

The survey is anonymous and so contains no personally identifying information. And to allay any suspicions we're happy to assure you that this is a legitimate company seeking some statistics on driver habits in connection with a new product.

If you can spare 5mins of your time then the survey can be found here.


_________________
Darren Griffin

[marc_holmes]

My answer to 6. was yes, but that was before it was illegal. The question doesn't seek to differentiate if use of a handheld was before or after it was made illegal. Or is that irrelevant for the purposes of this survey?

[Survey_Poster]

Excellent point. We have adjusted the wording of the question in an attempt to clarify, we hope without detracting from the original question.

[BigPerk]

it's only illegal 'on the move' roughly speaking though. Does the new question cover this ok? (Can't see the questionnaire any more since I filled it in originally.)
_________________
David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

[Survey_Poster]

To clarify, the 'The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2003' states 'The Definition of Driving' as:

'A person is “driving” even if the vehicle is stationary but the engine is running. The offence applies to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, but will not apply to pedal cycles.'

The question was changed to read:

'6. Regardless of the answer to the above, have you ever used your phone hand-held for any purpose whilst driving in the last 3 years?'

This was done to clarify the question as to if the driver has used a hand-held phone whilst driving knowing that it was illegal.

Further Info:

From 1st December 2003 the penalties were initially a fixed penalty of £30 or a fine of up to £1,000 if the offender goes to court (£2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles or passenger carrying vehicles with 9 or more passenger seats).

From 27th Februrary 2007, the penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving increased to £60 and three penalty points added to the drivers' licence.

So whilst is has been technically illegal since 2003 we thought it unfair given the comment to ask people to recall back that far when we are specifically interested in recent events.

Again, hope this clarifies.

[mostdom]

I always find these things interesting. Dispite thinking I drive as carefully as I can, filling out these questionares make me feel gulty as hell!

I have a hands free and cradle but still do stuff on it while driving!

Now I've got that off my chest I feel better!
_________________
Dom

HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot

[BigPerk]

If Survey_Poster turns up on my doorstep as PC999, I shall deny everything of course
_________________
David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

[mostdom]

[mikealder]

I guess its a good jog the iPhone app "Ping" isn't listed as one of the things to use while driving so I can answer that I only use the phone for calls via handsfree.......

Only joking of course - Mike

[gem]

And the question I posted some weeks ago about using your phone's sat nav (without cradle) and being illegal applies.

[Darren]

[Fellwalker]

I must admit to being confused as to what the possible new product might be. The questions did not seem to lead anywhere, and fundamentally just reinforced that using your phone hands on in the car is wrong. I've already got a fully fitted car kit, so don't even need to take the phone out of my pocket. I can even receive texts on the car, but not send them.

[Darren]

On an unrelated note a recent test demonstrated that even using a car-kit, drivers were more distracted AND their driving and reactions were worse affected than being moderately over the drink drive limit.

Personally I don't use a car-kit and don't take or make calls in-car.
_________________
Darren Griffin

[MaFt]

[Darren]

When I used to manage customer networks I all to frequently had to take calls in car and I know that having to debug network issues and offer support from in-car on a hands-free is highly distracting.

So much so that I took a stance and refused to take calls in car.
_________________
Darren Griffin

We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?.
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!