(edit title) On your mobile or texting whilst driving in Sweden Dangerous or not? Options

[Gamla Hälsingebock]

Do ya think?

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[byke]

In many ways can I understand both sides of the argument.
I am a strong anti mobile advocate for drivers, especially those who work for public services like bus drivers who have a greater responsibility of numbers ranging from all ages.

Obviously Sweden has the equivelent of the "dangerous driving" laws that exist in many countries.
However due to public opinion and acceptability mixed with poor government guidance it has led to a situation like we see today where driving and using a mobile phone is not considered a faux pas.

However, in may ways governments need to both educate and steer people in the right direction.
And while I personally believe there are many ways government over abuse their extension of power in Sweden, I do feel this is an area that government have failed in this particular area regarding mobile phones being used by drivers.

The logic of being able to be fined heavily for not having your headlamps on during a bright sunny day, in comparison to being allowed to text at high speed on a motorway really confuses me. As its not until the driver has an accident that he could be "generally" guilty of dangerous driving (unless its super visible - swerving etc).

Add to this other modern day laws regarding driving, such as seat belts and car chairs for children. I am unable to see the justification of governments to not address such behavior. And in turn has bred a society that justifies or accepts such practices as the norm.

One interesting argument or perspective could be the implications it could lead to regarding tax generated through lost productivity. As if local society is able to afford a good amount of cars with crash protection and modern forms of protection, then its the personal cost of the driver and his insurance company and a reduced risk of long term damage to driver, and not that of the state.

Either way, if local governments refuse to address drivers using mobile phones through law. I would hope that they at least tried to deter such social norms through productive education and ad campaigns.

[Rick Methven]

It is not only drivers texting but pedestrians and cyclists as well.

I have had 2 experiences in 2 days.

Monday: I was coming out of a parking garage on to the road. I stopped to wait for traffic before turning on to the road and was run into by a young mother pushing a pram and texting at the same time. Luckily for my car, the baby and the mother no harm was done.

Tuesday: Car ahead of me at a junction was ran into by a cyclist who was texting and crossed the junction without looking. He flew over the car, got up and started shouting at the driver because his iphone was smashed

[Mb 65]

The Swedish transport minister should be sacked. It is obvious that she texting while she drives. If I knew her Email address i would send the you tube clip to her.