Leader: Mobile users - selfish and unrepentant

Changes in the law regarding driving with a mobile phone held to the ear have been slow to catch on.

Stories of drivers taking corners, negotiating tricky junctions and pulling into parking spaces with one hand clamped to the ear holding their phone and chatting are ten to the dozen.

Last weekend this writer was almost mown down (albeit at about 8mph) by a driver so engrossed in her conversation, holding a phone to her ear and trying to change down a gear and steer around a tight left-hand turn all the same time - and everybody we speak to seems to have similar recent instances of drivers who believe the law doesn't apply to them and the need to arrange their social life or shoot the breeze.

At first there was the benefit of the doubt where such cases were concerned. Sure, they're idiots but many simply didn't know they were breaking the law. All laws such as this need some time to bed in - but that time should now be considered over.

Now the laws have been in place long enough for the message to have filtered through but still people are breaking the law - and it would seem willingly - and knowingly - so, if research out earlier this week is anything to go by.

More and more people are finding ways around the laws - few of which involve using the approved methods such as hands-free kits or Bluetooth headsets.

The research claims women (and presumably long-haired men) are hiding the phones under their locks while others are putting phones in their laps and shouting at their crotches (which probably looks odd from the pavement or next car - and is probably even less safe than ever.)

Such irresponsible behaviour smacks of flouting laws almost for the sake of it. While many have supported the legislation and have got into the habit of pulling over to answer calls or change their handsets and peripherals according to post-legislation needs it's time everybody was forced to play ball - especially when so many calls are doubtless a needless luxury.