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Police get tough on distracted drivers who eat and phoneFriday 10 September 2010 Dutch police will today begin a massive campaign against motorists who 'get distracted' by their mobile phone, navigation system or even a sandwich while driving, the AD reports on Friday. Police chief Bert Wijbenga told the paper a hardcore group refuse to realise that such behaviour is dangerous in traffic. 'We have to hit them in their pockets so they get the message,' he said. Fines can be up to €2,500. Research by safety expert shows driver distractions play a role in 80% of accidents. Phoning while driving, for example, leads to a lower reaction time, even using hands-free systems. © DutchNews.nl
If hands free devices are banned then it will only be a matter of time until it's forbidden to talk to your passengers. Then maybe picking your nose will also become an offence!! By Mick | September 10, 2010 12:51 PM I think this is the government's conspiracy to milk its treasury with big fines. Since when eating is a crime? By James Coliver | September 10, 2010 3:34 PM How will the police know you're 'distracted' by these gadgets or have a hands-on broodje, and not just a frazzled personality? By judith weingarten | September 10, 2010 4:09 PM Does this campaign mean nobody can use GPS anymore here in Netherlands?Oh,what a very stupid and undesirable idea for motorists who rely on it! By Y.A | September 10, 2010 7:30 PM Can someone guide me on this. Does it mean that using the GPS while driving and also talking on the phone using a hands free kit is an offence going forward By Arnold | September 11, 2010 7:30 PM More and more countries are cracking down on using a GPS, as in programming it, while driving. Being given instructions from it doesn't count. Even TomTom devices has a feature that while you are in motion you can not make any changes to a route or program it, you have to stop your car to make those changes. Also, it has been observed that even just talking on a phone distracts you a lot from your task of driving the car safely. By Dr. W | September 12, 2010 2:03 AM
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I can understand it for phone and sandwich, but are they really going to ban using navigators while driving? Sounds very strange.
By Rouzbeh | September 10, 2010 12:14 PM