Its bad and I feel guilty, but I have to put my hand up and say I do do it occasionally. I put it on speakerphone and shout at it hands free! but still I know it means my attention isn't fully on the road.

Maybe I rush around too much, and it is only when I really need to, running late, or if the person looking after one of my children calls... Sometimes its so tempting to answer when you are in slow moving traffic. Maybe I should get a hands free kit or a blue tooth headset - but I think those are illegal to use and don't really solve the issue of not having your attention on the road. Hopefully the guilt will keep my usage down to trace levels...

Big bug bear of mine - chances are you won't hurt yourself but someone else - everyone is so distracted at this time of year in any case.
Please please dont risk it

I couldn't agree more. It makes me so cross. There is absolutely no excuse.

very good post, an excellent point.

This morning, on my way to nursery drop off and back, I saw three separate mums (or carers perhaps) using their handheld mobiles while driving, with kids in the back of the car.

One went careering into Waitrose car park at speed, one turned into the road I live on and drove past my house, the other swung a right turn onto Balham High Road.

No need for me to blah on about the dangers to their own kids and to mine.

If you do it, you know who you are. Please don't do it.