By Will Sturgeon, 1 April 2004 08:40
NEWS MPs are discussing a revision to the recent ban on driving while holding a mobile phone which would see Londoners driving within the capital exempted from fines and other penalties.
A number of reasons, including difficulty in policing the ban for London's millions of road users and the fact that traffic in London rarely moves fast enough to be dangerous due to heavy congestion have been cited by lobbyists.
One MP told silicon.com off the record that another important issue should be considered - the fact that mobile phone calls in the capital are likely to be far more important than ones being made elsewhere.
"London is the financial heart of Britain. Who is to say that a driver on a mobile phone isn't sealing a deal which will benefit the whole country?" he said.
"Are you telling me that a businessman in London should just let his phone ring and miss out on a million pound deal just because of this legislation?" he added. "These people aren't farmers or parents on the school run - these people are brokering the deals which will put the Great back into Great Britain."
However, talk of the exemption is proving unpopular outside the capital.
James Watson, founder of lobby group Rural Matters, said: "This is just another example of one rule for London and another for the rest of us. If this amendment goes through then it sets a very dangerous precedent."
Comments
There are 255 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
Surely these guys closing multi-million pound deals, earn enough to stretch to a car kit or Bluetooth headset.
2. Carl Maycock
Er.. does that exemption include non-business calls ? Does the exemption only count if the business deal is worth a certain amount ? what happens if a business man is making a very important call but drives out of the boundaries of london ?
Give me strength........
3. anonymous
This has surely got to be an April Fool joke! Have they not heard of hands free kits?!
4. anonymous
Perhaps the law should change so that anyone driving at an average speed of 5mph or less can hold their mobile while driving.....
5. dean hilton
Some of us provincial dullards might be taken in by this one
6. anonymous
Check the date boys ;)
7. anonymous
April fool?
8. Ian Pollard
Hmmm, wouldn't be the start of a new month today, would it?
9. anonymous
LOL, You seriously falling for this?? Remember what day it is
10. Klaus von Doppelganger
Bite fishies, bite!
11. Edward Leigh
Nice April Fool!
12. Andy
...I don't think people living in London should pay Tax either......
13. Avril Uno
This timely amendment should be welcomed with open arms. If it proves popular, it could perhaps be extended to cover the whole country.
14. anonymous
If these people are so important then surely they will be able to afford a hands free kit! I've never heard anything so ridiculous in my whole life.
15. anonymous
Me thinks you're trying to make an April Fool of me!
16. Peter Langston
Ha, nice one Silicon, you had a few of us going there. Thanks for making me smile on 1st April
17. Dave Manford
What total (but typical) arrogance I suppose that since most of the b*****ds have second homes in Devon they will want to be exempt down here too!
18. anonymous
err... April 1st today isnt it....?
19. Loof Lirpa
I think the people posting with incredulity at this suggestion need to check the date.
Or have they had a reality bypass....
20. anonymous
err... April 1st today isnt it....?
21. anonymous
April fool anyone?
22. Peter James Killelea
Words escape me! Yet again we see the blatant disregard for anybody outside of the village. Who is the MP, who regards his and Londoner's business more important than mine? I'd like him to argue that point with me face to face, that is for sure! I'm disgusted yet again at the arrogance of these people. And if you think I'll stand by and obey a law which doesn't apply to others in the same country as me, decided democratically through the usual channels, and then change for a minority because it doesn't quite suite the 'law-makers' themselves "well you can stick your law where the sun don't shine!"
23. anonymous
1st April - this has to be a wind up doesn't it?
24. anonymous
April fool anyone?
25. anonymous
err... April 1st today isnt it....?
26. Anonymous
While I suspect the timinig of this announcement is quite significant, I must agree with Avril Uno's comment
27. anonymous
They should only be allowed to use the phone when ordering spaghetti trees.
28. anonymous
err... April 1st today isnt it....?
29. anonymous
To the other commenters - it's April 1st chaps....
30. anonymous
Does this mean that it's okay for someone to be distracted on the phone in London where there are more pedestrians, traffic and general hazards to concentrate on than elsewhere. Is there going to be a different law too, if you run someone over or have an accident if you were closing a business deal? This is ridiculous and a show of arrogance. It is possible to make multi-million deals outside of London. And it's not the only place that traffic is horrendous.
31. anonymous
err... April 1st today isnt it....?
32. anonymous
Marvellous!
Took me a good five minutes to remember what day it is! :o)
Nice one!
33. Gillian McKearney
Great April fool. Got us going for a while!!!!!!!
34. anonymous
If they are so important to this country, and they are completing such vital deals, then either they or their employers should be able to fork out for a fairly decent Hands-Free Kit.
35. Richard Howlett
Has nobody else spotted today's date?
36. Matt L
Has anyone thought of the date today???!!!
37. Matt L
Has anyone thought of the date today???!!!
38. Sean Black
but surely it will make it more difficult for Londoners to avoid hitting spagetti tree harvesters if they're allowed to use their mobiles while driving?
39. anonymous
It's about time the Government stopped whinging on about the rights of people who live in god forsaken rural villages where the roads are full of cow droppings and dead chickens. London is where it is happening and the cost of a deal is far too important to worry about nocking over the odd tourist while using the cell phone in Euston Road
40. Justin Wheatley
Get headsets you tossers!
41. D Brent
This just goes to show that techy people have noooo sense of humour. For heavens sake guys it's April Fools Day! As if to illustrate the point, I sat all night in the fridge last night just so my jelly underpants would go off, but did they get one single laugh when I walked into the office wearing nothing else this moring? No - I got a verbal warning instead. Fair enough, they had started to melt by that point, but I mean, it's all in a good cause, isn't it?
42. Carl Davey
This legislation can only be passed before mid-day on April 1st!!!!
43. anonymous
If they are so important to this country, and they are completing such vital deals, then either they or their employers should be able to fork out for a fairly decent Hands-Free Kit.
44. John Normile
April Fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!surely???
45. Paul Finch
I am in favour of the new mobile phone ban and so should everyone who's ever experienceed the uncontrolled vehicles of drivers trying to talk or worse text on the move.
If the London deal makers are so important to the country then surely they can afford to install a proper in car hands free kit?
46. anonymous
Any of you boys feeling a bit foolish yet ?
47. anonymous
Very good. Well done. Ha ha ha.
48. Chris Hirst
Maybe the exemption could be extended to the other person on the call who may be using their mobile somewhere else in the country!
Another example of MPs opening their mouths and planting both feet firmly in there!
49. steve cotton
Yeah very funny, not April the 1st today is it?
50. Michael Price
Will this legislation be through in time for next April 1st?
51. martin roberts
Somebody brokering a 'Million Pound' deal should be able to afford a hands free kit!
52. anonymous
Does this mean that we should be excempt from the ban on Motorways. Quite often I am sat in slow moving traffic, or at a stand still on motorways
53. anonymous
Look at the date guys! Duh!
54. Daniel Dearing
It sounds perfectly reasonable to me, after all how could a parent reasonably complain if their child was mown down by a self important city dealer whilst he was closing a multi million pound deal on his mobile!
I guess us "rural" people in Cambridge should thank our London cousins for doing all the deals for us.
55. Martin Johnson
hmmmm.....and today's date would be?
56. John
Very Good! Had me quite riled for a moment until I remembered the date!
57. anonymous
Anyone notice the date?
58. anonymous
The Lunatics have taken over the asylum - again!
Anyone with a genuine business need to make mobile calls when driving can afford a hands free kit.
59. Bob Massey
What's the date today?
60. anonymous
Great April fool. First good one seen today
61. Nigel Black
I'm sure the guy in the white van eating a pasty, Talking on the phone and steering with his knee really contributes to the UK GDP.
62. Poisson d'Avril
I don't think the story is quite correct. Surely the proposal is for mobile use to be compulsory at all times, in order to boost the economy as much as possible. (Especially in the motor repair sector.)
63. anonymous
April Fool I reckon
64. Chris H
What day is it? April 1st? Hmm.
65. Jon
I believe that we may have been had...
66. anonymous
... and there was me thinking that the Microsoft fine was an April Fool joke!! I'm sure Bill Gates is laughing about it. Nevertheless it's nice to see that you caught some people with this cracker... Well done Will!
67. mark Ross
Perhaps People would like to consider today's date before posting comments and before evaluating the legitimacy of this article.
Only a thought !!
68. anonymous
What a whole load of rubbish!
If the capital's phone calls behind the wheels are so important then there is a ground-breaking invention called the hands-free kit. It can be purchased from petrol stations up and down the country for as little as £4.99! Maybe the lobbyists have not heard of it yet!
The mere thought that Londoners are more important than the rest of us is actually quite shocking to say very least!
69. anonymous
If these calls are so important the driver will want to take notes. So a hands free kit is still needed so that they can concentrate on writing!!?
70. charlie white
Errrr......what's the date chaps??
71. Kevan Chippindall-Higgin
The mobile phone ban was always absurd. Was it the conversation, in which case all kids would require gagging and any mother in law joke can also be inserted. Was it the fact that one hand was off the wheel, in which case why is msoking while driving not banned? Was it fiddling with the unit, in which case all radios, Sat Nav etc should be ripped out at once.
Now it transpires that because traffic in London moves so slowly, the ban is irrelevant. Excuse me, but traffic moves slowly in most towns and cities.
It would appear that if you place others at risk to seal a multi £ million deal, that is fine, otherwise using the phone is dangerous. I am sure that the person put in a wheelchair or coffin will be profoundly reassured that some city slicker has just made another huge bonus in the interests of the country.
Let us take this argument to its logical conclusion. All Health and Safety legislation should now be ignored because it adds cost. By permitting wild corner cutting, think how much money could be saved so that we could compete on equal cost terms with Russia.
Using a non hands free mobile is either dangerous or it is not. The chances of hitting people is far greater in London than elsewhere, but I suppose if you are not going very fast, they are not hit very hard, so that is OK.
This is utter nonsense and brings the whole ban into utter disrepute. If this amendment goes through, then this law ought to be ignored by all.
72. dougie smith
the idea of Londoners having an exemption from the phone ban whilst driving is a rediculous. I have never heard of anything more eliteist from the MP quoted in today's article. If a ban from driving whilst talking on the phone can be enforced, which let's face it, it probably won't be, it should cover the ENTIRE country. Most London drivers should be given lessons in how to drive sensibly before being allowed to do anything else...
73. Michael Peters
So businesses outside London don't help the UK economy and there are no other cities that have traffic jams and people from London don't have important phone calls when they are travelling elsewhere? This is nonsense. Surely a handsfree kit would work particularly well at these speeds because you wouldn't get wind and as much engine noise.
74. David Marsh
This is an extremely sensible suggestion. Driving in London is significantly easier than elsewhere because of the plethora of road signs. In addition, as the report points out, the average speed is much lower than outside the capital. It also allows important messages to be transmitted quickly..for example I am dictating this to my secretary as I drive. On a nice day like today, the 1st of April, it is so refreshing to hear such a sensible proposal.
75. Steven Abrams
If the work they are doing is so important then they can't be concentrating on their driving whether they are on the phone or not. The whole idea of the law is to improve road safety.
Does this also mean that business deals being done in any of the other congested cities in the UK are just not important enough?
If they are too busy to put 100% concentration into navigating what could be a potentially lethal weapon through the streets safely, then they should have somebody else do the driving. Regardless of their location.
76. mat davies
Noticed todays date anybody?
77. Alan McTrucky
Completely agree with the proposal. Surely even dim witted Spaghetti farmers will accept that Londoners are far more important than they are - after all, if it wasn't for the multi million pound deals being done on mobile phones by most Londoners the country would go to the dogs.
78. Simon Appleby
Funny that this story should appear on April 1st ;-)
79. anonymous
April Fool ? I hope.
80. anonymous
Does the date of article have any relevance to the story?
81. Shaun
It must be April 1st... surely??
82. anonymous
What is the date today??
83. Scott Hancock
Wait a moment, isn't it April the 1st today? Surely someone is having a laugh.
84. anonymous
What's today's date people? God, irony is a dying art, obviously...
85. Kay
Has anyone noticed the date?! Lets hope it is April fool!
86. Andy E
either these comments are a fool too or there are a lot of gullible people reading this mail !
87. anonymous
April Fool anyone?
88. anonymous
April Fool, right?
89. T Ghouri
Look at the DATE! Its APRIL FOOLS!
90. anonymous
An exemtion to the law on driving and holding a mobile phone in London. Where in London, just the city or the leafy suburbs as well? Cheap hansfree kits are readily available. Anyone discussing a multi million pound deal could afford a handsfree car kit. I live within Greater London and could not support a waiving of the law for anyone driving in London.
91. anonymous
What's today's date people? God, irony is a dying art, obviously...
92. Nick
Nice one Will - happy 1st April.
93. Alan Mills
These reasons for exemption are absurd! What next? "Why should these guys be stopped from brokering their deal just because they've been down the pub all afternoon drinking ten pints?"
If it's important for these people to be able to 'broker' that deal then they should be responsible enough to make sure they are in a position to be able to do it.
94. anonymous
Has anybody checked the date of this article?
I can't believe it's anything but a timely joke!!
95. Nick
Nice one Will - happy 1st April.
96. anonymous
Are they fools? Have they come down in the last shower? I think its proposterous!
97. Andrew Sutcliffe
Nice one - you had me fooled for about 2 seconds!!
98. Simon Taylor
I'm guessing this might evaporate tomorrow - April 2nd. Or even this afternoon.......
99. Chris Anderson
And todays date is?
100. anonymous
Not many people read the date before commenting then?
101. Simon Taylor
I'm guessing this might evaporate tomorrow - April 2nd. Or even this afternoon.......
102. Claire Harding
April Fool - Perhaps? Although it has amused us in our London office!
103. April Fool
surely us Londoners should be exempt income tax and NI as well. Another finely crafted piece of legislation. At last Londoners have been acknowledged for the fine contribution they have made to all those winging northerners
104. Yaron
Who woke up this morning and forgot the date
Excellent Silicon
105. Andrew
Great April Fool!
106. anonymous
Happy April 1st!
107. Matt Porter
Trialing begins in Ipswich, Suffolk.
The mobile ban seems to have been lifted on a trial basis in my street in Ipswich. Only this morning a youth, driving a rather 'souped up' Vauxhall Nova, came screaming around the corner of my street whilst using his mobile phone. He very nearly ran me down. It was a comfort to think he was probably 'doing a deal', though in what? I'm not sure
108. Poisson d'avril
The real answer lies in combining three news items posted this morning:
Lock up people caught driving whilst using their mobile. Once in prison they will receive Broadband Access via their free laptops. This will give them access to far higher bandwidths than their mobiles and with the new high security Windows XP they can conduct their business in safety and privacy.
Problem solved, and all before midday:-)
109. anonymous
SO how about freedom from speeding fines/cameras/harassment on clear open roads in rural areas - fair trade-off for no phone use - we could get there quickly and then make our calls!
110. nobody atall
Ho ho ho , April fools
111. Uve Been-Had
Great April Fool!
112. anonymous
Are they fools? Have they come down in the last shower? I think its proposterous!
113. nobody atall
Ho ho ho , April fools
114. anonymous
I can see no case for exemption in the capital if anything when driving in heavy conditions such as london traffic more concentration is required.
Surly these high fliers are either chauffeur driven use cabs or at the very least be in the position to use hands free, anyway they need to have their hands available to write things down, hold the financial times, pick their noses, smoke their cigars, scratch their balls, etc.'
All while their ears listen to the crap, lies, and bullshit, emerging from the gobs of ill informed MP's.
Not based In London MD.
115. nobody atall
Ho ho ho , April fools
116. Mick Mooney
Happy April Fools Day everybody!
117. anonymous
So no-one spotted the April Fool lead story yet then? :-)
118. anonymous
April Fool!
119. Nick Weavers
April 1st !?
120. Mike
Yes keep the ban on "non hands free" mobile phones and ban pasties etc too.
What percentage of a million pound deal would be needed to buy a hands free kit?
121. anonymous
I have actually seen people on phones while driving recently - since when did multi-million pound business men drive ford escorts?
And while they're at it, could they create a lobby to scrap lobby groups -they're just a bunch of sociology students with nothing else to do anyway.
122. Stu Pead
I think this is disgusting only NODDING DOGS should be able to use mobile phones while riding their bikes.
I will lobby my MP to ensure that this never happens this is downright disgusting and very dangerous.
This has got to be worse than NODDING DOGS in the back of cars
123. David
Well done Avril - nice to see that some one has a sense of humour (and a calendar) !
124. anonymous
Woudl they also be exempt from the "April Fuel" tax
125. April Fool
Mmmmmm, what's the date today?
126. anonymous
Happy April Fool's day!
127. April Fool
Mmmmmm, what's the date today?
128. Joseph Dawson
Very amusing. I look forward to the comments in the Weekly Roundup
129. nobody atall
Ho ho ho , April fools
130. Jamie
One swanky new hands free kit from a London department store... GBP30
Bluetooth headset for those 'looking like a schizophrenic' moments... GBP70
Ultimately saving the life of a pedestrian / fellow road user... Priceless
Please tell me that this is an April Fools Day joke!
131. AB
April fool?
132. anonymous
April Fools day - what an apt day for such a story :-)
133. Nick Gray
And todays date is? :-)
134. Paul Shotton
Surely this is an April Fools day joke?
135. Ken Rennoldson
April Fool, surely.......
136. Tony Mudd
Have you people not noticed the date?
137. anonymous
Surely someone out there has access to a calendar...?
138. anonymous
City rips-off UK so fine in proportion to income. All city folk are interested in is money and flogging off the nations assets, hardly grounds for compassion.
139. John
RE: SO how about freedom from speeding fines
It's well know that important classes of Londoners are already exempt from this. If caught you just have to write a nice letter to your local Superintendent explaining that you were rushing to an important meeting and in due course you will receive a nicely worded retraction and apology. Try it and see! If you're a Londoner, drive without a care in the world!
140. nobody atall
Ho ho ho , April fools
141. Gogs
WARNING TO ALL POSTERS!!!! Please stay away from any moving machinery and sharp objects. Serious doubts have been raised about your intelligence, given today's date and the obvious stupidity of the story.....
142. Chris Brannigan
While I assume this is an April Fools joke, I must say I agree with the idea...a flat out ban on mobiles is stupid, perhaps some kind of rule which would benefit london and others could be put in place that allows the use of a phone if in the flow of traffic and travelling at under 40 or something?
Although most businessmen no doubt have hands free kits in their cars these days anyway...
143. John
RE: SO how about freedom from speeding fines
It's well know that important classes of Londoners are already exempt from this. If caught you just have to write a nice letter to your local Superintendent explaining that you were rushing to an important meeting and in due course you will receive a nicely worded retraction and apology. Try it and see! If you're a Londoner, drive without a care in the world!
144. Wayne Rumley
This has GOT to be an April Fool's wind-up!!
145. Adrian Tribe
Another April Fool, yes? (Like the Wi-Fi for all UK prisoners story)
146. Mark Pennycook
I am a CEO of a City based organisation and drive in London every day – This suggestion is as dangerous as it is ludicrous.
The nature of driving in London tends to foster a more aggressive and dangerous style than other parts of the country, without the added impact of driving whilst conducting a telephone conversation.
If, as suggested by the MP, the driver may be negotiating a million pound deal then that’s even more of a reason to get them off the phone or the road – how much will they be concentrating on driving their vehicle?
Too many people die every day on London streets, and I for one do not like the idea of my wife and children having to run the gauntlet of drivers focused on something other than negotiating their car or van safely around my City.
If, as Londoners, we are indeed so important that we need to be on the phone at all times then surely we (or our companies) can afford to pay to have car-kits fitted or buy those silly ear pieces.
147. Howard Rogers
Wonderful idea. I agree with Avril. London drivers can then hold their phones close to their noses and check that the date settings are correct.
148. Gordon Torbet
About time too! I mean, you don't see the Police pulling over skateboarders and rollerbladers on their mobiles - so why should other four-wheeled commuters be penalised?
149. Phil Gray
are the people in london any more imporant than the rest of the nation? the simple answer is no. using mobile phones while driving a car is dangerous, regardless of location. this legislation is designed to serve a vital purpose and to protect road users from the inoconsiderate and dangerous behaviour of those who choose to use a mobile while driving. wake up to reality london.
150. Kate Kirk
Doh! Don't forget to check the date before you fly off the handle - or are those angry comments windups too?
151. John
RE: SO how about freedom from speeding fines
It's well know that important classes of Londoners are already exempt from this. If caught you just have to write a nice letter to your local Superintendent explaining that you were rushing to an important meeting and in due course you will receive a nicely worded retraction and apology. Try it and see! If you're a Londoner, drive without a care in the world!
152. anonymous
So no one in London does a school run, and ALL calls are business ? Excellent!!!!
Why cant they buy hands free kits like the rest of us?
And if Londoners manage to make multi-million piund deals for the rest of the UK, does that mean us Northerners dont make any multi-million pound deals ?
Get a life! This is just so politicians can escape prosecution when THEY get caught!
153. John
RE: SO how about freedom from speeding fines
It's well know that important classes of Londoners are already exempt from this. If caught you just have to write a nice letter to your local Superintendent explaining that you were rushing to an important meeting and in due course you will receive a nicely worded retraction and apology. Try it and see! If you're a Londoner, drive without a care in the world!
154. Dicky
Come on, it's got to be an April fools joke.
155. Dicky
Come on, it's got to be an April fools joke.
156. Mark Dowsett
NICE ONE!!!
What's the date?
157. anonymous
Spotted the date line. Pull the other one.
158. Mark Pennycook
I am a CEO of a City based organisation and drive in London every day – This suggestion is as dangerous as it is ludicrous.
The nature of driving in London tends to foster a more aggressive and dangerous style than other parts of the country, without the added impact of driving whilst conducting a telephone conversation.
If, as suggested by the MP, the driver may be negotiating a million pound deal then that’s even more of a reason to get them off the phone or the road – how much will they be concentrating on driving their vehicle?
Too many people die every day on London streets, and I for one do not like the idea of my wife and children having to run the gauntlet of drivers focused on something other than negotiating their car or van safely around my City.
If, as Londoners, we are indeed so important that we need to be on the phone at all times then surely we (or our companies) can afford to pay to have car-kits fitted or buy those silly ear pieces.
159. anonymous
This can't be anything other than an April Fool - good one, though!
(it is, isn't it?........)
160. Dave P
What a load of tosh! Shame it's not April 1st. Oh, hang on a minute - it is :o)
161. anonymous
words escape me to you gullible bunch of morons. Jesus, no wonder my shares in the IT industry crashed.
162. anonymous
And today's date is ?
163. anonymous
April Fool!
Of course this can be the only real explanation for this story ??!!
I agree totally with the earlier comment re "if they are so important then why do they not have Bluetooth / factory fitted handfree system ? And the whole point is about SAFETY so if a trader is closing a multimillion deal but runs over a schoolchild (because the 'phone was blocoking his view) that is "OK" because the deal was "putting the Great back into Britain" ...
April Fools day .......
164. anonymous
The majority of important mobile phone users in London who may be making country changing decisions would normally be chauffer driven or have the money to buy a hands free kit @£150.
Tell the MPs to put their hands in their pockets and shut up, plus it is a fact that more accidents occur in slow busy traffic, such as London City Centre.
You do not want to get to the situation of one rule for one and one for the other in the UK, I am sure that people elsewhere in the UK make life changing decisions on their phones on a daily basis.
What would be nice is to see the police get rid off the bad drivers of the roads, this does not necessarily mean speeders!
165. anonymous
Sound like a good idea, also everyone on April the 1st Every year should be exempt.
166. anonymous
Can those who've posted on here please look at todays date
167. Geoff Piper
If "... these people are brokering the deals which will put the Great back into Great Britain." why doesn't their company invest £250 in a hands-free kit on their employee's behalf. The government could help by making such kits a tax deductable expense.
168. anonymous
This has to be an April Fool, lets face its its the morons at Westminster who invented this law anyway.
169. Kal Ahmed
Nice one - almost got me until I looked at the calendar...
170. anonymous
Is this an April Fool?
171. anonymous
So a vet cannot use a mobile phone to report a outbreak of BSE but a suited prat in london can call his bookie. Typical of this urban based government
172. Tim
Erm... April Fool?
173. Joe King
I agree wholeheartedly. I'm also in favour of allowing London drivers to drive with their knees whilst reading the paper
174. Richard Smith
This is disgusting. I live in Birmingham and we sometimes have to close very important deals over the phone too - granted, they are rare, but why one rule for them and another for us.
I am appalled
175. Marat
Londoners should be 'more equal' than the others? What next? - "... Who is to say that a thug with a knife isn't securing a deal which will benefit the whole country?" ...
"Are you telling me that a hitman in London should just let his victim go and miss out on a million pound deal just because of a legislation?"
176. Graham
Nice one, you nearly had me there. Anyone know what date it is today?
177. anonymous
yeah right! and today is 1st April!
178. Alan Cattley
Come on - has nobody else thought what day it is ?
179. Andi
nice one, appears your April fool pressed all the right buttons (groan)
180. Steven Gordon
How about those based in Bracknell being exempt too???
181. Jo
Have you guys checked today's date? ROFLMAO.....
182. fio
NIce to see it's that time of year again.
183. Kieran D Community
Anyone else noticed today's date?
184. Alan Cattley
Come on - has nobody else thought what day it is ?
185. anonymous
As IT professionals responsible for keeping the systems up and running so these people can make these calls then surely we should be exempt as well. And that means it doesn't matter whether we are in London or not!
186. anonymous
err. . . what date is it guys and gals?
187. David Mountain
April fool - gotta be.
188. April Fool
I can't believe all of you people have fallen for this story, aswell as the one about prisoners getting wi-fi! have you not seen the date today?? ;oD
189. Alan Cattley
Come on - has nobody else thought what day it is ?
190. anonymous
Presumably this exemption is only valid once a year until 12 noon?
I gather the government minister Loof Lirpa put forward the proposed change of policy!
191. Robert Privett
Is this going to be the standard if we do not like the law we can get an exemption from it in the local area ? how long before this new option becomes law?
192. anonymous
Of Course it could always be an April Fool!
193. anonymous
Good God folks! Look at the date today.
194. Roger Ash
It wouldn't by any chance be April 1st today, would it?
195. Mike Sevenoaks
Er...um....come on guys....April 1?
196. Peter Harding
Sounds good for some - BUT - it's surely an April Fools Joke!
If it is not, then it makes the law look ever more of an ass.
197. Chris Hirst
Just a thought people!
Anyone notice the date???????
198. ordinary lady
anyone noticed its 1st April .......
199. anonymous
If they were that important, they would have chauffeurs!
Who are these MPs, so we can tell their constituents how stupid they are?
200. Simon Lewis
Well it made me laugh. Happy Fools' Day
201. Tim Haveron Jones
Hmm. Good job I'm reading this at ten to twelve - much later and I think that silicon.com would be the fool, not me!
Next thing you'll be telling us that spaghetti grows on trees.
Nice try, though - and you seem to have taken several people in with your gag!
202. Simon West
Is it just me, or hasn't anyone noticed the date?
203. Dale Strickland-Clark
April fools
204. Paul Tansom
It's a means of reducing the London popluation and congestion.
Mr Anonymous Fool with his quote about million pound deals ought to buy a Bluetooth headset to improve his image of self importance, although to be fair any deals that big will be closed by people who are either driven around or have the sense to have a large house in the country!
In practice, I think this is a good idea as banning the use of mobile phones is allowing the London population to expand even further. Nature has ways of keeping the population in control and who are we to interfere with that, especially in places like London. We need to keep the idiots on hand held mobile phones squashing the odd pedestrian and killing themselves whilst driving into things. Think of the mobile phone as a fox - without the foxes the rabbits will breed and breed and overrun the place.
By the way, what's the date? :-)
205. anonymous
Then use the same option as the rest of us and buy a hands free kit!!!
206. anonymous
Then use the same option as the rest of us and buy a hands free kit!!!
207. RobinDG
I have actually negotiated a multi-million pound deal on my mobile while out in the car, but I'd parked the car when the call started and had begun to pace up and down the pavement - as yer do. (Well, I do sometimes anyway!)
When I got back to the car I had a parking ticket.
So should I get my parking fine rebated because I was earning for Britain?
What a farce!
208. Richard Maltby
Surely this "story" has more to do with todays date than the fact that Londeners consider themselves more important than anyone else!
Was just about to start ranting and raving about the important deals that are conducted outside the capital (as were a number of my colleagues).
Nearly, very nearly!
209. anonymous
April 1st you dummies
210. Ken Livingstone
This is such a stupid idea that this would qualify as an April Fool's joke if it wasn't for the fact that it's not April 1st.
Er....ooops
:-)
211. anonymous
Fools!
212. anonymous
Why are people interpreting this as Londoners getting a better deal ? This would be worse for those of us who actually live and raise kids in London ! The dear old businessman lives out of London, leaving his kids in the safety of leafy Hertfordshire or Sussex. Is it supposed to be ok for some tosser to run over my kids in London while talking on the phone ? Love the comment about 'under 5mph'. So, ok to be on the phone while reversing out of a jammed up ratrun just beside school then. Or while driving down the wrong side of the road to make an illegal right turn down the wrong side of a traffic island. Both of which I see commuters doing daily.
213. anonymous
Why are people interpreting this as Londoners getting a better deal ? This would be worse for those of us who actually live and raise kids in London ! The dear old businessman lives out of London, leaving his kids in the safety of leafy Hertfordshire or Sussex. Is it supposed to be ok for some tosser to run over my kids in London while talking on the phone ? Love the comment about 'under 5mph'. So, ok to be on the phone while reversing out of a jammed up ratrun just beside school then. Or while driving down the wrong side of the road to make an illegal right turn down the wrong side of a traffic island. Both of which I see commuters doing daily.
214. anonymous
April 1st
215. Mark Pennycook
Good one Silicon! Being a CEO I'm lucky enough to work with very smart people.
216. Mark Pennycook
Good one Silicon! Being a CEO I'm lucky enough to work with very smart people.
217. anonymous
It's April 1st
218. Antony Wilkins
Isn't this just an April 1st wind up?
219. anonymous
Ever heard of April Fool's Day?
220. Peter Harding
Sounds good for some - BUT - it's surely an April Fools Joke!
If it is not, then it makes the law look ever more of an ass.
221. Peter Healy
It would be ridiculous to exempt London. No one is suggesting that dealers and successful businessman miss a contract. They should spend a tiny proportion of their income to go out and buy a Bluetooth enabled phone and a Bluetooth headset (some are now only £49.99!) and use them.
The argument on exemption is absurd!
222. anonymous
Why are people interpreting this as Londoners getting a better deal ? This would be worse for those of us who actually live and raise kids in London ! The dear old businessman lives out of London, leaving his kids in the safety of leafy Hertfordshire or Sussex. Is it supposed to be ok for some tosser to run over my kids in London while talking on the phone ? Love the comment about 'under 5mph'. So, ok to be on the phone while reversing out of a jammed up ratrun just beside school then. Or while driving down the wrong side of the road to make an illegal right turn down the wrong side of a traffic island. Both of which I see commuters doing daily.
223. Alan Starkey
"Are you telling me that a businessman in London should just let his phone ring and miss out on a million pound deal just because of this legislation?"
Answer: minimum wage Chauffeur ?
224. Lir Paloof
If this is a true story - it's perfect timing - putting it out on a day like 1st April - at least silicon.com has is displaying a sense of humour ¦¬P
225. anonymous
Er, have you not noticed today's date?
Adrian
226. Alf Prool
Northerners are being compensated though. A research team has been set up to investigate the value of permitting the use of mobile phones for tractors and bicycles.
On the downside though, I also hear that the M25 will be the new perimeter for the London Congestion Zone and that the price is going up to £20.
227. John Stanhope
Is this an April Fool?
228. anonymous
Instead of exempting Londoners from the law, why doesn't the Government supply hands-free kits? I would have thought they were an essential accessory for southern w*****s!
229. Kam Mistry
You got me hook, line and sinker!
230. anonymous
Just because a news story breaks on 1st April does not mean its false; this story certainly does have some good points, and could lead the way for more 'state' laws coming into use. London is larger in every sense of the word, and exemptions and exceptions may do us all some good.
231. Kaly Taylor
Exemptions are nonsense, if the call is important, it should be taken on a 'hands-free'.
It's STILL bad out there! The poor drivers whose concentration is dangerously distracted whilst using mobiles are STILL using mobiles!
It's only us law-abiding sensible drivers who DON'T get distracted who have accepted the law.
232. anonymous
I think it's a good idea that Londoners have seperate laws to the rest of the country. How about relaxing the law for Londoners so that they are all able to carry guns and shoot each other, thus making the world a better place with less cockney w***ers in it.
233. anonymous
I do hope that this story is an April Fool windup, because if NOT then it ain't very funny. There can be no exceptions. The trafric don't move fast enough? What, not even after dear ken has cleared the roads by introducing a levy on traffic? You're having a laugh! The phone ban should apply at ALL road users. Londoners are no different from the rest of us.
234. Tony Briselden
If the date is the cause of the piece then read no further! Otherwise read on. It seems ridiculous to me as the reason given for the ban was safety, in which case tell me why it is safer to drive in London.
Perhaps Londoners who are makinf hthee multi-million deals should fit hands free 'phones before they receive this ridiculous getout. They could obviouslt afford it. I have done so and have to admit that it is such an advantage I wonder why I didn't do it before it became obligatory.
235. carl farrington
course it's an april fool. Nobody needs to "not answer a call", they just need to do it with a hands free kit. duh.
236. anonymous
This has just GOT to be an April Fool's report! If not, it is VERY dangerous...Different Laws for different classes of people??????? Sound familiar?? Get these idiots to wake up to reality, PPLLLEEEAAAASSEEE!?!?!?!?
237. anonymous
Will Sturgeon? Sounds a bit fishy to me!
238. anonymous
This will be enforced only on even days and full moon nights.
239. Richard Harries
I would let people in London talk on their mobile phones on one condition i.e. that they stay the hell out of the rest of the country that they seem intent on buying up at the expense of the true backbone of great Britain
240. anonymous
I thought the real reason for banning mobile phones is the lack of concentration when driving, not the speed!
241. Tony W Blair
The motion was passed only with the amendment that only the west part of london, is exempt only if you can prove you were conducting a million pound contract and your name ends in MP.
In addition a conservative motion that all transvestites can talk on their mobile phones whilst driving as long as they aren't doing their makeup at the same time.
242. Paul Coenraats
If they are closing such big Financial Deals they can at least afford a Car Kit. Knowing the Fat cat salaries they can earn.
It may be April Fools day but only a Fool would conceed to this exclusion.
Save a Life get a Car Kit.
243. Gabby the Gopher
Hey guys...and girls, relax! It's the 1st of April. Stop taking life so seriously!!
244. anonymous
Happy April 1st
245. Bill Richards
Nice one! Had me going for a minute there ...
246. Andy Barber
Where do these people come from?
I can't believe they have the gaul to suggest that anyone should be exempt. Frankly they should be using an appropriate form of transport that would allow business transactions to take place, not being a danger to the rest of society. How anyone can drive in the lunacy that is London traffic and hold a coherent conversation, let alone negotiate a multi-million pound deal, is beyond comprehension!
247. Maek Hughes
Ah. But are those outside London stupid enough to fall for an April fool. It'll be interesting to see the comments.
248. Nic
If their closing such big deals, then they can afford a handsfree mobile in the car or a bluetooth headset.
Nice joke!
249. Nick R
Carl Maycock, IT Engineer is off my list of people to call in an emergency!
250. Richard South
Surely the date of this article has a bearing on the implications?
251. m
haha
252. anonymous
HAHAHAHAHA this is soo funny, cant blv how many ppl have fallen for the article. mayb next year silicon.com dumb down a little on 1st of april.
253. anonymous
I live up t'north. What is a mobile phone?
254. Not taken in
IT consultants, Programmers, analysts etc.
All taken in by what was obviously an April fools day report.
Does not say a lot for the ability of some in the industry to actually think does it???
255. Tom Kelly
Another ridiculous suggestion from the crazy city that elects Livingstone for Mayor! Anymore of this crap and I will turn Tory!