Pleased to hear that BRAKE, the road safety charity, are having another go at drivers using their mobiles whilst on the move. As they rightly point out it is the conversation that is the main problem so that hands free kits are not that much safer than hand held phones. It is interesting to note that the firm "Permabond" gave their staff the opportunity to negotiate some hazards they set up on a disused airfield. Whilst using a phone the drivers were knocking down cones on a slalom test and hitting roundabouts. Permabond made the sensible decision to ban phone use whilst driving.

Opponents of this viewpoint, like Jeremy Clarkson of "Top Gear" fame or infamy, say it is no different to talking to a passenger in the vehicle. What absolute rubbish he talks sometimes!
It is inevitable that your mind can wander even if only slightly whilst on the phone. But when driving I can stop a conversation with my passenger immediately if required and it sometimes is but with a phone it is so easy for your mind to be transported to another place and the person at the other end has no idea of the hazards you are facing at that particular moment.

I don't mind Top Gear being politically incorrect but we are talking about peoples lives being at stake here. Richard Hammond risking his neck on some stunt doesn't disturb me too much; my real concern is the Clarkson attitude to responsible driving on the programme. Driving might be a game to you Jeremy and you might attract big audiences but to most of us it is something that requires a serious and mature approach. And I am not a fuddy duddy.

Whilst on the subject of JC why did he get an honarary degree in recognition for his "passion for engineering"? I've seen people who have made wonderful small scale working replicas of traction engines for example. Would any of them be awarded an honorary degree? I don't think so! This honarary degree thing has become an absolute farce.

In view of Hammond's accident it will be interesting to see if the Beeb bring back Top Gear. I am pleased that Richard's recovery appears to be going well.