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'Put the bloody thing away': 60% of Irish drivers have used their phones at a red light

“Phone use by Irish drivers is at ridiculously high levels,” according to The AA.

ONE IN TWELVE drivers in Ireland have admitted to using their phone on an “occasional basis” while driving, in an AA Car Insurance survey of road users.

The survey of over 6,461 drivers in Ireland also found that almost two-thirds of respondents admitted to using their phones at a red light on at least one occasion in the past.

“Phone use by Irish drivers is at ridiculously high levels,” says the AA’s director of consumer affairs Conor Faughnan.

It’s dysfunctional. We all know you can’t do it and we all know it’s dangerous, but every single day Irish drivers in their tens and hundreds of thousands can’t resist the urge.
Put the bloody thing away and watch what you are doing.

The survey also found that 1.42% admitting to “regularly” using their phone on the open road, and 0.83% of respondents said they use their phone while driving in flowing traffic on a daily basis.

It’s currently illegal to use a mobile phone when driving; the punishment if you’re caught is a €60 fine and three penalty points, which remain on your license for three years.

The AA said despite these measures, there were still high levels of phone-usage while driving due to “deficiencies” in the levels of policing on Irish roads.

“Unfortunately, for some people if they feel the risk of being caught is relatively low, they’re willing to flout the law and, in doing so, put other road users in danger. ”

Even when stuck at a red light it’s important that your concentration remains on the road in front of you and that you’re on the lookout for vulnerable road users.

Meanwhile Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid said previously that “any distraction, not only mobile phones, can cause a momentary lapse in concentration which could lead to your vehicle veering off course, or preventing you from noticing the red traffic light or the child playing on the road.”

Read: Gardaí crackdown on drivers using mobile phones

Read: Fresh snow-ice warning issued as wintry showers move through country

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61 Comments
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    Mute David Dineen
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:39 PM

    The other 40 percent of drivers have the phones guled to the ear.

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    Mute Leitrim303
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:42 PM

    sure ur at a red light. with ur foot firmly on the brake pedal. ur not going to crash looking at you phone

    264
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    Mute Leitrim303
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:44 PM

    @Leitrim303: bit of a non issue

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    Mute Watchful Axe
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:53 PM

    @Leitrim303: Big difference between someone checking a text at a red light and someone trying to type a text while moving. The amount of people you see holding the phone up beside the wheel texting is crazy.

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    Mute Dotty Dunleary
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:37 PM

    @Leitrim303: Ridiculous statement… It’s a distraction! If you need to use your phone, pull over to the side of the road or parking spot.

    So while there’s a que of other cars and vans etc. sitting at a traffic signal which has just changed to green, yet you’re sitting at the light blocking traffic with your foot still on the brake pedal, causing traffic to miss there turn on green that’s no harm huh?

    I’ve also seen people with the familiar blue glow in the car, head pops up, suddenly start the car whilst failing to notice a pedestrian or cyclist cross in front of their vehicle and nearly crush them… but sure no issue there eh?

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    Mute dstaffx
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:43 PM

    @Leitrim303: you should be watching what’s going on around you, watching for cyclists, motor bikes, pedestrians and emergency vehicles trying to progress. And also watching for the green light to not delay everyone behind you.

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    Mute John Hagin Meade
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:58 PM

    @Leitrim303: “with ur foot firmly on the brake pedal”.

    You are required to apply the handbrake when stopped. This is especially important when stopped on an incline. Using the foot brake, especially at night, dazzles the driver behind you with your brake lights. This can cause a temporary loss of night vision for them and can result in missing something, like a child, when they start moving again. If you used only the foot brake when doing your driving test you would fail.

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    Mute Dotty Dunleary
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:07 PM

    @John Hagin Meade: Agree! I have to keep sunglasses at the ready for driving in traffic to prevent being blinded by some of the new powerful led brake lights on the likes of Volvo’s, Merc’s and Audi’s etc….

    38
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    Mute eirtags
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:11 PM

    @Leitrim303: Your foot shouldn’t be on brake either, your handbrake should be on.

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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:20 PM

    Yep, and as well know the definition of a split second is the time elapsed between the green light comimg on and the fecker behind you hitting the horn.

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    Mute Dotty Dunleary
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:32 PM

    @Patrick J. O’Rourke: Or crashing into the back of you as it was assumed your vehicle would move on Green….

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    Mute Austin Rock
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    Feb 11th 2018, 11:10 PM

    @Leitrim303: You shouldn’t be …….driving

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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:18 AM

    @Leitrim303: YEah and the light goes green and you take 10 seconds to move away making others behind miss the light.

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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:40 AM

    @Leitrim303: Let us hope and pray that some innocent doesn’t come across you on the road.

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    Mute Cathal Flood
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:49 PM

    Yes, it’s illegal and rightly so, I’m just fed up of the aa and Conor faughan acting like an offshoot of official government, they are an insurance company and breakdown service, for profit. So it’s about time the journal and other news outlets remember this and stop give free advertising and airtime to them

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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:41 PM

    Bring on self-driving cars

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    Mute Leroy
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    Feb 11th 2018, 9:32 PM

    @Arfer Daly: Why?

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    Mute Sean
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:07 PM

    Every second driver you see now is looking down into their lap with their face suffused with the glow from the phone. I watched a lady driver take the wrong side of a turn at a T junction recently after checking out her texts. Crazy state of affairs alright.

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    Mute An Observer
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:45 PM

    @Sean: I see more women than men doing it.

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    Mute johngough
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    Feb 11th 2018, 8:33 PM

    @An Observer: Must be true so. Very scientific study there. I see mostly Mazda drivers doing it.

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    Mute Harry Newman
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:48 PM

    What do you expect when there is no punishment

    86
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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Feb 11th 2018, 8:31 PM

    @Harry Newman: it is true that this issue isn’t tackles enough. But, if the statistics above are true, it amounts to about 60% of drivers thinking their mobile phone is more important than someone else’s life. To think we share the roads with such self-centred, dangerous idiots who have no sense of personal responsibility is, quite frankly, scary, although not surprising considering what I’ve witnessed.

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    Mute Vin
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    Feb 11th 2018, 8:54 PM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: I’m confused. Who’s life is endangered by a stationary vehicle? Worst case scenario of people on phones at traffic lights, being slow to go on green

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Feb 12th 2018, 12:09 AM

    @Vin: I have seen people take off at the lights while still glued to their screens because they’ve obviously noticed traffic starting to move ahead of them. Pedestrians shouldn’t cross between cars, but they do. Also, if you’re glued to your phone you may not notice an emergency vehicle coming up behind you. It’s as simple as this: if you are behind the wheel of your car while it is moving or idling your full concentration should be on the road, your own vehicle and the vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians around you. If you are on your phone, even when at a red light, you are no longer in control, are a menace on the roads and should not be on the road. No text message or Facebook comment or journal entry is more important than the safety of you and those around you.

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    Mute Barry Oneill
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:23 PM

    I have just return from australia .where if you used a phone when driving and got caught u got fine up to 800 dollars and 6 dermit points on your licence .i am shock the way the people used there phone when driving in cars . ..cars here are mostly manual and women with kids in back and phone in there ears and a cigarette in other hand .it mind blowing the garda dont care by the look of it ..it just shocking ..

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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:45 PM

    @Barry Oneill: well women are great at multi tasking ….

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    Mute Sean Kelly
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:52 PM

    The awkward moment when your on the auld phone at the lights and traffic has moved on the last two minutes. Omg totes awky mo mo like!

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    Mute Mean Gene Okerlund
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:58 PM

    MY car MY choice

    40
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    Mute Leadóg
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:12 PM

    @Mean Gene Okerlund: Are you the only one using the roads?

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    Mute An Observer
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:46 PM

    @Mean Gene Okerlund: Very subtle reference there…

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    Mute Mean Gene Okerlund
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:07 PM

    @Leadóg: trust in men

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    Mute David Mackeown
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:30 PM

    I never use the phone in the car and am disgusted at amount of people I see daily with their phone glued to their ear when driving. Situation is getting worse and something needs to be done. No common sense anymore regarding safety.

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    Mute Del Bear
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:55 PM

    Equally as annoying are the dopes walking down busy streets with their heads bet into the phone! Put the phone away and look where you’re going dimwits!

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:00 PM

    I only use my phone at a red light when I am looking for RoxAnne.

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    Mute Dotty Dunleary
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:42 PM

    @Derek Poutch: Roxanne…

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    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:48 PM

    @Derek Poutch: How very sad it is that you think it’s okay too make a wise crack over something that is a very serious issue in this country.

    What is it they say some people grow and others just get big work out for yourself which category you fall into.

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Feb 11th 2018, 11:30 PM

    @Joe oshaughnessy: I’m really really really really really really really sorry you feel this way Joe.

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    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
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    Feb 12th 2018, 7:39 AM

    @Derek Poutch: Oh now let me think where did I here that one before oh I think it was Ft Jacks attempt at sarcasm as he sarcastically apologised to Bishop Brennan on Ft Ted all those years ago. He did it too make people laugh but I’m still struggling too see the funny side of this story as I’m sure many others are too. Have some respect for other people who have unfortunately been through or maybe are going through the nightmare that is too have a loved one taken from you in circumstances such as this article highlights and how reading articles like this with comments like yours may affect them.

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    Mute Jumperoo
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    Feb 12th 2018, 8:40 AM

    @Joe oshaughnessy: lighten up, Joe. It’s Monday morning. Best time of the week :)

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    Mute Stephen Foster
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    Feb 11th 2018, 5:48 PM

    I thought you could use your phone with a Bluetooth devise while driving? If you can, then this article is badly written.

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    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:01 PM

    I’m saddened and shocked by some of the comments on this article it would appear to me that some people think it’s ok to post comments that make light of the hole issue of road safety.

    Let hope they don’t have too face the reality that is that knock at the door with the news that will shatter they’re world into so many little bits it could never be the same again.

    Thankfully it hasn’t happened to me but I know families that it has happened too and it’s not easy.

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    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:16 PM

    @Arfer Daly: I’m not a Garda but I’m sure if you’re nice about the way you ask one of them they’re be only too happy too explain to you why it is the way it is.

    12
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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:26 PM

    @Arfer Daly: two wrongs don’t make a right …

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
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    Feb 12th 2018, 7:34 AM

    @Arfer Daly: If goimg into a burning biding is so dangerous, why are firefighters allowed to do it?

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    Mute Jonathan Power
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:21 PM

    The amount of people I see on phones while out walking in town is shocking and even pulling out of houses onto main roads texting on the phone. Complete bonkers, even saw a young woman other day going around the roundabout looking down tying a message.

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    Mute John Dman
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:19 PM

    Fianna fail still never explained why all those summonses for serious driving offences were never served on there TD Robert Troy

    27
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    Mute David Cullen
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:39 PM

    what are the statistics of actual accidents caused by drivers on phones ?? since the Irish phone use is “ ridiculous high” there must be a lot of accidents caused by this ? where are the numbers

    31
    Fozz
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    Mute Fozz
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    Feb 11th 2018, 10:46 PM

    @David Cullen: How can you know an accident was caused by phone usage of the driver?
    I’d say it is a strong contributor but to get numbers is a different matter.

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    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:02 PM

    Get off the bloody phone it won’t kill you not too look at it while you drive it may well kill you or someone else if you don’t pay attention to the road around you wise up folks before it’s too late

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    Mute Paul Matthews
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:08 PM

    The Toyota Face It Down App is an excellent way to encourage people not to use their phone while driving.

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    Mute Margate
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    Feb 11th 2018, 7:31 PM

    What is it with us ?? It is 1. Dangerous 2. Illegal 3. Possible cause of deaths 4. Bad example to children ( and we moaning and groaning about the parenting challenges of curbing kids use of gadgets …really?)
    These folk who do this have no regard for other road users. Heavy penalties only way..ah but wait, that would be taking our ” rights” away. Pathetic attitudes and then whinge – like the law breakers who declamp their cars- when Rules imposed.

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    Mute Roisin O' Reilly
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    Feb 11th 2018, 9:57 PM

    Was driving behind a car that was doing 15kph on a main road, then stopped dead on the road. When I overtook, driver was on the phone and had no idea I was behind him!!
    Serious danger needs a much bigger penalty!!

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    Mute Socky Varadkar
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    Feb 11th 2018, 6:25 PM

    Millennials for you..

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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Feb 12th 2018, 11:22 AM

    @Socky Varadkar: I sat in traffic and watched a lot of drivers passing on phones this morning.. Not all millennials.

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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Feb 11th 2018, 9:51 PM

    Use of phone while driving is out of control.. nobody cares. And it is so dangerous..

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    Mute James Halligan
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    Feb 11th 2018, 9:20 PM

    Recentely I was over in England and was delighted at the total lack of mobile phone use with drivers,but it seems Irish drivers or too thick/stupid to learn or maybe the penalties are not strict enough.

    23
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    Mute Robert Murphy
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    Feb 11th 2018, 9:44 PM

    Crotch watchers everywhere.
    You are all a**holes.
    Put the phone down.
    Connect the bluetooth if needs be.
    But keep it out of your hand.

    21
    Fozz
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    Mute Fozz
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    Feb 11th 2018, 10:48 PM

    @Robert Murphy: Bluetooth only good for voice calls.
    These people wanna check text apps and photos and suchlike when driving.
    What if they miss out on something!
    They are spanners.

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    Mute その男、凶暴につき
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    Feb 11th 2018, 9:54 PM

    Sure it’s better than the other 40% when are running red lights

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