Eat a Cheeseburger in QLD, while Driving....$330 plus 3 Demerit points !!!

[XBROO]

Look like I have said a cheesebuger is only one bite, so can they get you for chewing? I get it from the drive- thru, unwrap it there. Then just shove the whole thing in my mouth and of I go, can I get done for that? I know police discretion LOL

[XR6_661]

I Like my music on the loud side in my car and if I want to eat in the god damned thing I can do that too.

Granted I won’t drive and eat a burger or something, but on drives I’ll have some chips between my legs…or a drink because ED Falcons don’t have cup holders!

[noflac52]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

No doubt, I am actually a big advocate for increased driver training and assessment. This is based primarily on the effect that this training and assessment had on me, I see the value.

I just don't subscribe to the notion that it is the silver bullet any more than I agree that speed limit compliance is the silver bullet.

Road safety is a multi faceted problem that requires a multi faceted management approach, I am sure most will see my logic there (some won't).

I don't believe its a silver bullet either. Thats a phrase coined by politicians to describe something that will make a very noticable difference to their profile while in office. It generally describes something that will obviously improve things with out costing much. Win win all round look better while in office and not hurt the budget a politicians silver bullet!

A lot of silver bullets look good on the surface for a while but have no substance. Thats definitely not the profile of improved driver training. Improved driver training will make a big difference no doubt about it!

I also have a lot of training in this area and know the benefits.

Back in the days of one driver doing the whole of the Bathust race without a break they used to pack their lunch and some snacks and drinks to have while racing.

The two hour rest break is very subjective. You can't compare a tourist in an airconditioned car to an outback truck driver with no aircon and a schedule to meet, driving in 45 degree temps. The truck driver would have to stop every fifteen minutes in those conditions to have a drink and top up with a bit of fruit etc and thats not going to happen, in the real world they would never be able to make a living so they keep driving and eat and drink to keep hydrated and stay attentive.

I'm all for things that actually are workable in the real environment of the traffic system not enforcing obscure rules on the whims of politicians. I'm sure the police would prefer this also.

I'm not advocating eating a stir fry or roast lamb and three veg but as I said previously when there are too many laws sometimes thay can contradict each other and the lesser of the two negatives has to be chosen to get a more positive result. So the discretion of the police officer is very important to the fairness of the application of the particular law in question. In this case eating while driving!

[Uwish]

Why is it Police Police officers can talk on their mobile phones.
These so called trained drivers are no better than 90% of the drivers on the road.
Im sick of banning everything.
Why not get a drivers program going in School and then bring in restricted licenses for everyone until you pass the next stage.
Then finally you can drive a 400kw car.
Most people have no idea how to control a high powered car. That includes a lot of you on this forum.
How many people have done all their advanced driver training?

[noflac52]

Originally Posted by Uwish

Why is it Police Police officers can talk on their mobile phones.
These so called trained drivers are no better than 90% of the drivers on the road.
Im sick of banning everything.
Why not get a drivers program going in School and then bring in restricted licenses for everyone until you pass the next stage.
Then finally you can drive a 400kw car.
Most people have no idea how to control a high powered car. That includes a lot of you on this forum.
How many people have done all their advanced driver training?

I can't agree at all about the 90% of drivers being as good as professional drivers with advanced driver training.

It also contradicts the idea you have of graded training to an advanced level. If 90% of drivers are that good already there is no need for any more training. Something wrong in the logic!

[chevypower]

they need to ban giving birth. It has been scientifically proven that people who are born will inevitably die.

[Olbucko]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I was warned for taking one hand off the handlebars on my motorbike a few years back. Apparently there's something there about keeping both hands on the 'bars to "maintain control".

If you are riding an old vintage or classic bike without blinkers The law requires that you remove your hand from the thottle/front brake and stick you hand out to signal a right turn. On an old Harley you have to remove your hand from the LH handlebar to change gear.

Maybe the law was rewritten in the late 60's when all new bikes had to have blinkers.

[Chrismaz]

As an ex Paramedic I have seen what not paying attention on the road can do. I have attended numerous low speed RTC due to people eating whilst driving in traffic and fatalities involving the use of mobile phones (texting) & MP3 Players whilst driving. The last fatality I attended was last year and the driver was texting (in a B Double).

As for emegency services personnel using phones whilst driving; they can under the Emergency Services Act, but, only if in the course of responding to a call-out and even then I would hand the phone to my partner. Comms do not broadcast everything over the radio, some things need to be conveyed via telephone.

Emergency Services personnel spend quite a bit more time being trained to drive in various conditions and at different speeds and in various vehicles than the average person attending a civilian defensive driving course. The last civilian DD course that I completed was a total of 8hrs in length and was a waste of a day as far as I am concerned. I cannot believe in any way that 90% of untrained (ie: defensive/high speed driving) road users are better drivers than Emergency Services personnel and would love to know where that figure was plucked from......

Music played too loud in a vehicle is also very dangerous. I have lost track of how many times I was stuck behind someone who couldn't hear the sirens due to music volume. Worse still are the people who wear earphones! Not good when you are driving code 1 to a baby not breathing or a mum in cardiac arrest! These are generally the same types that would complain if the Ambulance was not at their house in record time! You may not crash due to loud music, but, holding up an Ambulance or Fire Truck could cause the death of another person ..... Think about that

Sadly common sense is a thing of the past. When driving, focus should be on the road conditions and other drivers at all times. If you are that hungry then pull over and eat. If the phone call is important then stop and take it. If you cant hear your music then get your hearing checked ..... Simple.

We all have a duty to keep ourselves and other road users free from harm by acting in an appropriate manner when driving and paying due care and attention to our surroundings.

Stay Safe! ...... Cheers

[Auslandau]

No one is saying that distraction is a good thing while driving a car. Legislation has gone a long way to combat the problem but there will always be a distraction while driving. How far is required to go? Is there a limit or will children, radios, passengers manual gears, window levers. satnav, audio dials, any music, hands free phones, consoles, gloveboxes, buttons on consoles, rear view mirror adjustment knobs, drinking water, chewing gum, hands not in correct position ....... be banned?

The biggest distraction is everything going on outside the car ....... people don't pay enough attention to this. Teach people how to drive properly where they can drive competently with the 'every second' distractions and get those that cannot walk and chew gum at the same time off the road? I am sure every single accident on the road today and previously has a percentage of a distraction of some sort.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by chevypower

they need to ban giving birth. It has been scientifically proven that people who are born will inevitably die.

Profound

[superyob]

Originally Posted by chevypower

they need to ban giving birth. It has been scientifically proven that people who are born will inevitably die.

Could this be linked to the scientific evidence that everybody who ate carrots in 1827 is now dead?

[F6E]

No one has mentioed smoking in a car ?

What could be more distracting than that !? ...lighting a fire, in a car, contained in a stick, that is juggled between hand and mouth.....

Those puppies dont jump outa the pack and light themselves...

constantly lifting one hand from wheel to face over and over....

It's all a crock !! They (Gov't) are primarily interested in collecting revenue, if there is a life or two inadvertantly saved in the process, all good for them, double High 5's

.

[H.G]

vehicles are made far too safe... we as drivers are not forced into concentrating when behind the wheel as these new cars do everything but steer for us..

put most of behind the wheel of (for example) a 1964 Dodge ute with old steering brake systems etc etc and I can guarantee you nearly everyone would be far more aware of what they, and everyone else on the road,are doing when they are driving.. no power steering.. no cruise no auto no ABS no traction control blah blah blah.. just a heavy vehicle on pre historic mechanicals.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by F6E

No one has mentioed smoking in a car. What could be more distracting than that !?

More distracting?

How about flicking ash out of the window when the window is wound up. Then trying to get the hot bit (that fell off) from between your legs before it does any permanent damage to you or the seat !

[XBROO]

Originally Posted by F6E

No one has mentioed smoking in a car ?

What could be more distracting than that !? ...lighting a fire, in a car, contained in a stick, that is juggled between hand and mouth.....

Those puppies dont jump outa the pack and light themselves...

constantly lifting one hand from wheel to face over and over....

It's all a crock !! They (Gov't) are primarily interested in collecting revenue, if there is a life or two inadvertantly saved in the process, all good for them, double High 5's

.

Post 53 I did mention it, so is smoking allowed while driving? Because if it isn't then alot of drivers doing it.

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by F6E

It's all a crock !! They (Gov't) are primarily interested in collecting revenue, if there is a life or two inadvertantly saved in the process, all good for them, double High 5's

.

the rule has been around long before "revenue raising" became a way of justifying getting caught

how many people here have actually ever been caught eating a cheeseburger, smoking, drinking a non alcoholic beverage or the like in a car . . . . .

[H.G]

they will need to ban hot pedestrians as well.. Ive seen quite a few accidents from people looking at some attractive girl walking the footpath.... then sticking thier front end into someones rear end.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by H.G

vehicles are made far too safe... we as drivers are not forced into concentrating when behind the wheel as these new cars do everything but steer for us..

It is for this reason that I believe that it should be mandatory for everyone to have ridden a motorcycle on the road. You are very much more aware of your surroundings, the road conditions, etc on a bike than you could ever be in a modern car.
It also is a great environment for learning great road craft skills that you can carry over into a 4 wheeled vehicle. Also serves as a great reminder of your own mortality, which I believe is a good thing to have while on the road as it helps you judge and assess risks as they arise in a realistic way, rather the xbox way ( 3 lives and then start a new game when you stuff up because I'm bullet proof) that some drivers seem to base their decisions on while driving.

The licencing system could be structured so that you get a motorcycle learners permit for 12 months before being allowed a car licence.

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by H.G

they will need to ban hot pedestrians as well.. Ive seen quite a few accidents from people looking at some attractive girl walking the footpath.... then sticking thier front end into someones rear end.

Thats where the problem lies.
Guys dreaming about sticking their front end into that hot pedestrians rear end, instead of concentrating on what is on the road in front of them! LOL

[XBROO]

Originally Posted by H.G

they will need to ban hot pedestrians as well.. Ive seen quite a few accidents from people looking at some attractive girl walking the footpath.... then sticking thier front end into someones rear end.

Meter maids on the gold coast, I like where they stick their advertisements.

[gassed250]

I have been eating for 35 years it requires about as much thought as breathing

[flappist]

Originally Posted by gassed250

I have been eating for 35 years it requires about as much thought as breathing

How many hands does breathing require?

[Chrismaz]

Originally Posted by flappist

how many hands does breathing require?

touché

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by gassed250

I have been eating for 35 years it requires about as much thought as breathing

Unless you're a Blonde.

[Chrismaz]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Unless you're a Blonde.

[Bent8]

Mr Police Commissioner, I'm afraid this law is going to have a financial impact on the fast-food industry as people will be scared to eat and drive.

Have the police ever considered that having more cars on road will inevitably cause more road accidents since the roads are not being upgraded to accommodate the increased traffic caused by people driving well below the speed limit in most areas thanks to speed cameras hidden around every corner or behind every bush.

Also, police ads saying that "driving 5pkh over the speed limit will cause accidents" is actually very misleading.

Hmm, let's forget about the fact the stopping distance between a GT and a Corolla is HUGE !!

Will agree that loud music is definitely a distraction though.

Any police officers on the forums want to chime in and offer their opinion?... or are they not allowed to ?

[Nic85]

Most cops wouldn't give a crap, or eat and drink in their cars already.

I ordered Red Rooster last night on my way home from work, ate it in the car on the drive home, had the chips between my legs and the drink in my cup holder. I didn't crash or die once. One hand always on the steering wheel. I fail to see how it's any different to playing with the stereo on your car.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by F6E

No one has mentioed smoking in a car ?

What could be more distracting than that !? ...lighting a fire, in a car, contained in a stick, that is juggled between hand and mouth.....

Those puppies dont jump outa the pack and light themselves...

constantly lifting one hand from wheel to face over and over....

It's all a crock !! They (Gov't) are primarily interested in collecting revenue, if there is a life or two inadvertantly saved in the process, all good for them, double High 5's

.

You are right, smoking should be banned too.
I have a mate who took the life of a father of 2 one morning whilst searching for his lighter.
he was driving a medium sized delivery van for a country baker when he momentarily shifted his eyes from the road to his dash board, didnt notice the slight kink in the road, crossed the solid white and hit the poor bugger straight in the drivers front gaurd.
Wasnt much left unfortunately.
When he gave his statement to the police he was honest and told them he had taken his eyes off the road for a split second to find his lighter and when he looked up it was too late.
He went to court and was given a 5 year ban, fine and expenses.

Living in a small country town meant that his life was put on hold, people who had been close friends shunned him as a 'murderer' and with no license, lost his job.
His own kids copped it bad around town, but in his own words, 'nothing compared to the heartache of the other guys kids'.

You guys bang on about revenue raising, but until you witness the effects of a simple loss of attention on a family and community you could never understand the importance of the message being portrayed.
A fine is a small price to pay.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

You are right, smoking should be banned too.
I have a mate who took the life of a father of 2 one morning whilst searching for his lighter.
he was driving a medium sized delivery van for a country baker when he momentarily shifted his eyes from the road to his dash board, didnt notice the slight kink in the road, crossed the solid white and hit the poor bugger straight in the drivers front gaurd.
Wasnt much left unfortunately.
When he gave his statement to the police he was honest and told them he had taken his eyes off the road for a split second to find his lighter and when he looked up it was too late.
He went to court and was given a 5 year ban, fine and expenses.

Living in a small country town meant that his life was put on hold, people who had been close friends shunned him as a 'murderer' and with no license, lost his job.
His own kids copped it bad around town, but in his own words, 'nothing compared to the heartache of the other guys kids'.

You guys bang on about revenue raising, but until you witness the effects of a simple loss of attention on a family and community you could never understand the importance of the message being portrayed.
A fine is a small price to pay.

No matter how good we human beings are we all can get distracted momentary at one time or another, we all could be in an accident.
No one intends to have an accident, but unfortunately it is part of life.

[vanman_75]

No that was an idiot that stopped looking at the road , nothing to do with inattention.a bad mistake on his behalf ..in that situation he should have pulled over to get his lighter...and that's where the grey area lies , big difference between stupid and doing tasks in the car that really don't cause loss of control.in that case I would throw the book at a driver if I couldn't see his head ..pity someone lost their life through it though .
While humans control cars you will never make enough rules to eliminate stupid.and normal drivers will pay for these fools .

I doubt the police with there head screwed on will fine half the country for eating a burger , but just the fact that one officer has is a problem , would need to know the full story , I imagine there is more to it than we read .still believe the big fine and points is extreme , should pedestrians be able to eat and walk ..?