February 26, 2007
UK Fines Rise For Driving While Talking
On a cell phone, that is. The British government doubled the fine to GBP 60, and three penalty points on the driver's license. The fines could rise to as much as one thousand Pounds, depending on the vehicle being driven. DWT, or driving while talking, has been illegal in the UK since Dec 2003.
Personally I'm pro-fine, despite being a former DWTer. I'm an extremely careful, though fast, driver, but most people on the road are incapable of DWT - and I admit to being almost distracted at times myself. I say that as someone who has driven in both Atlanta and Toronto, the two largest Metropolitan areas in North America, with the worst traffic conditions. People just get stupid.
In Canada, there are a series of TV commercials running where people drive by in a residential neighborhood doing stupid things while driving - not just talking on the phone - while a young woman just watches and shakes her head. The commerical urges the viewer to call or visit a certain website and say what you've seen drivers do. Someone in the United States has also set up the website Platewire, with US, Canadian and UK sections, where you can report stupid drivers, their license plates, and their infractions. Little Brother is watching.
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