France bans use of headphones whilst driving/riding

[duke63]

Seems like a good idea to me.

http://m.autoevolution.com/using-headph ... 97244.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Kwacky]

I can understand why they've done it, but why extend it to cyclists?

[Frankie]

Because they are the worse! with headphones in, not hearing cars and bikes on the road, pulling out on you and not stopping at lights....

[Kwacky]

They act like that without the headphones in

[Frankie]

True...lol
Ban them from the main roads anyway regardless... they prowl in dodgy lycra packs now all days through the week and weekends, they do my head in, nobody overtakes, so we all end up doing 0 miles an hour on a national speed limited road... pisses me off...

[Deegee]

Am amazed someone hasn't thought to ban them over here as well, anything that detracts from from your full attention on the road and what's going on around you is a hazard imho, headphones are near the top of my personal list of "things that should be banned for drivers/riders/cyclists/pedestrians etc". Top of the list is people wearing hats in cars btw - always watch people like that for stupid manoeuvres.

[StMarks]

Ok, flame suit on.

Well, fwiw if I went to France under my own steam it would be on four wheels as bikes for me are about the buzz, and any distance is always preferable using a more relaxed mode of transport.
However if that wasn't the case I would be stuffed, as I use my headphones to listen to music as I ride. They also act as earplugs, and although I would not engage in a phone conversation whilst riding they alert me to any calls I receive whilst riding, so that I can return the call later on if I choose.

[duke63]

Riding bikes in France beats riding in the UK by a long way.

But surely you can check your calls later anyway?

By the way the ban is for drivers and riders of all vehuicles.

[C00kiemonster]

Yup they have bought in quite a few little laws to try and help road accidents and fatalities which have started to go up I think.

The quality of french driving (especially in towns and cities) is appalling and is following the trend of poorer driving standards in the UK. They have the same problems with mobile phones and other distractions in the car especially.

Interestingly they have also brought in a law to stop people smoking in cars with children in. Brilliant idea.

Biggest issue, just like in the UK however is there are not many coppers on the roads anymore. They mainly seem to stick to the bigger dual carriageways these days.

[kiwikrasher]

I used headphones on the road all the time when I was commuting to the refinery and most of my trip in NZ. I've got custom molded ones, with an inline volume that I stick out the top of my zip. I have it at a volume I can still hear around me, and when I get to spirited section I wind the volume right off. I find listening to cruisy music calms down my riding.

Wearing headphones at a respectable volume is much better than someone with their car stereo blasting at ear bleeding levels. IMO it's not the equipment, it's the user and their attitude.

Also is fantastic if I'm using Google maps.

I never take a call, I have no mic in the set, and I wouldn't even if I did.

[Blade]

If its proven to reduce accidents I think it's a good thing personally.

[Rossgo]

^^here here!

I don't ever wear ear phones while driving I think it's a distraction. I believe you don't get the same sort of senses around you when there's music pumping directly into your ears. However I suppose it's just another law that the old bill have to remember and try to enforce