I use my iPhone as an ipod when on longer trips, and so as not to handheld, i bought a windscreen mount for it, in the belief that it is now in a hands free cradle and i'm not holding it to use as either phone or player.

As always it's a friend of a friend raising this, but she has passed on that he has said it is illegal to attach it to the window-but was unclear as to whether he meant where i have it, which is bottom centre of the screen.

Now as above, I am under the impression that the phone is now in a cradle and as it isn't blocking my line of sight it is ok. Am I right?
Would appreciate BiB's comments, thanks.

I don't think there's any real difference between sticking a sat-nav on your windscreen or a phone. However, there are laws against 'using' a phone whilst driving, so it's still possible if you are seen prodding at the device to change tracks you might get tugged for it.

Didn't this come up a while back with plod and sat navs in their cars?
Bert

Genuine question, not trying to be funny or anything but as everything concerning the windscreen for the MOT is noted as being "inside the swept area of the wipers", what would happen if you deliberately fitted shorter wiper blades to ensure that the issue was outside the swept area of the blades?

Looking here: http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_830.htm

The inspection zone is noted as being:

Zone 'A' is:
. in the swept area of the Windscreen
. 290mm wide
. centred on the centre of the steering wheel.

Although it mentions the zone being 290mm wide, it appears that the height position of the swept area is set by the length of the blade. So would shorter blades be legal?, and if so, would they therefore make any stone chips or screen fitted devices legal due to being outside the swept area?



(And before everyone starts posting about the safety issues concerning this idea, I'm well aware of the safety implications and it's not something I'm planning on doing or even have a need to do, I'm just curious about a hypothetical situation and what would happen).

According to the link I Posted ( http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_830.htm ),the test is carried out thus:

Windscreen

1. Whilst sitting in the driver's seat and, referring to the diagram below, examine the driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen.



It then stipulates as reasons for rejection:

1. In Zone 'A':

a. damage not contained within a 10mm diameter circle, or

b. a Windscreen sticker or other obstruction encroaching more than 10mm

c. a combination of minor damage areas which seriously restricts the driver's view
In the remainder of the swept area:

d. damage not contained within a 40mm diameter circle, or

e. a Windscreen sticker or other obstruction encroaching more than 40mm

f. a temporary Windscreen fitted.

Note: All the items listed in the information column should be taken into account before rejecting a vehicle.


Actually, looking at that information, it appears to be saying that if the damage or obstruction is outside zone 'A' then it is not a cause for rejection!

If there was a bad/fatal crash ,police will take EVERYTHING into acount and a distraction

stuck to the windscreen could mean bad news for the driver if they were the cause of said crash.

The law relates to using a mobile 'phone while holding it. Touching it while it is in a cradle - or even while it is beimg held by a passenger - is not an offence under The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2003, but could, depending upon circumstances, lead to a charge under s3 Road Traffic Act 1988.

Streaky

Christ alive....... your associates must have some bloody big sat navs !

I take the opinion that whether my sat nav is attached to my dash, or my windcreen, it would still obstruct the same area of my bonnet !

I know somebody who fitted a shorter wiper blade to the left hand wiper of his Sherpa to miss a stone chip. It passed the MOT like that.

Similarly I've heard of somebody removing a windscreen to get through the MOT. This was purely to allow the van to be used for the scrappage scheme so in this instance I can condone it

Interesting take on the MoT tester front.

Some years ago, I took a vehicle in which had a Royal British Legion poppy sticker next to the tax disc along the bottom of the screen.
When I went to collect the car, the tester told me he had failed the vehicle because the windscreen was obstructed!

I sat in the car while he watched, and as I am 6' 2" and have the seat high to be able to get leg room, demonstrated how the only thing the sticker obstructed was the view of the bonnet - while the rear view mirror blocked out quite a bit of the view of the high street!

The examiner was a small chap, and from HIS viewpoint in the driving seat, he could see perfectly UNDER the rear view mirror, but the sticker showed above the bonnet!
I asked for a re-test at no further cost - and the car was passed without any further examination.
Vauxhall used to be the only manufacturer that produced a mirror where the support arm pivoted up towards the roof for the benefit of taller drivers - I expect that they have discontinued this excellent practice.