Jeremy Vine Demands ‘Kill Switches’ on Cars—Says Cyclists Should Stop Dangerous Drivers on the Spot

Jeremy Vine is calling for big changes to car designs so that cyclists can turn off a car’s engine if the driver is breaking the rules.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Vine said he saw a driver in London using two phones at the same time while driving.

He said, “Cars should have a switch on the back so cyclists can stop dangerous drivers immediately.”

In a video he posted, Vine was cycling through London when he pulled up next to a blue SUV. He claimed the driver had run a red light. He caught up with the car and filmed the driver using two phones while waiting in traffic.

He added, “How many phones does someone need? She’s using two! Cars should have an emergency button so anyone who sees this kind of danger can stop the vehicle without arguing with the driver.”

The post received mixed reactions. Some people supported his idea, while others thought it was too extreme. One person asked if everything should have a switch just to make cyclists feel powerful.

Vine admitted his idea was “a bit extreme” but criticized people for defending dangerous drivers.

Another commenter said, “The driver was wrong for running the red light, but a kill switch is ridiculous and could be misused.”

Someone else asked, “Should we be allowed to push cyclists off their bikes if they break the rules? If bikes are on the road, shouldn’t they have insurance like cars? I don’t support using phones while driving, but Vine is clearly anti-car.”

Others suggested that instead of a kill switch, cars should have a system that blocks mobile signals while the engine is on, as part of their insurance policy.

According to the Department for Transport, in Great Britain, 17 people died, 114 were seriously injured, and 385 suffered minor injuries in crashes where the driver was using a mobile phone.

Drivers caught using a phone, tablet, or any device that sends or receives data while driving can get a £200 fine and six penalty points.

New drivers who passed their test within the last two years could lose their licence if caught using a phone while driving.

Drivers can also get three penalty points if their view of the road is blocked, such as by a badly placed sat nav.

If taken to court, they could be banned from driving and fined up to £1,000—or £2,500 if driving a lorry or bus.

In March 2022, the law became stricter after a public consultation in which 80% of people supported stronger penalties. Now, the law includes using a phone for:

• Checking the time
• Checking notifications
• Unlocking the device
• Making or rejecting calls
• Sending messages, photos, or videos
• Using the camera or voice recording
• Browsing the internet or opening apps

This means even touching your phone for these reasons while driving is illegal.