Letter: Dangers of phone usage
Over the Christmas period I noted a front page Star article regarding the incidents of mobile phone use while driving.
Well. This is a clear reflection of the increasingly degenerate modern societal view that rules and laws only apply to other people. I am constantly at loggerheads with a mate in his 30s who plays with his mobile; including transacting on eBay; whilst driving. I have even snatched the phone and thrown it over the back seat, which resulted in a 'hissy-fit'.
My observation is that young mothers and grandmothers on the school run are the greatest offenders: followed by van and lorry drivers.
To my mind the proposed Government changes to the law on this are nowhere near severe enough. Put the penalties on a par with gun and knife crime. And add driving bans akin to drink/drug penalties; running concurrently with any custodial sentence; for both.
Multiple offences should attract mandatory maximum sentences, with all terms served in privately run PAYG institutions.
And, yes, death by dangerous driving should be manslaughter. Again yes, I am serious. The hardest lessons are the ones best learned according to my father.
It's a good thing I'm liberally minded.
G Palmer, Lawley
Email us at starmail@shropshirestar.co.uk or write to: Readers' Letters, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU. Letters MUST include the writer's name, address and telephone number. Letters will only be published anonymously in exceptional circumstances. The editor reserves the right to condense or amend letters.
