1st March - 6points for mobile phone use at the wheel

1st March - 6points for mobile phone use at the wheel

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Discussion

SS2.

14,461 posts

238 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
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codenamecueball said:
The phone in a cradle thing will need a test case before we know for certain.

Mainly because I don't even think the police know what is and isn't okay, just the cut and dry offence of holding a phone is now even more serious.
If the phone is in a cradle then it doesn't need to be handheld and won't contravene the specific mobile phone legislation.

Nothing to prevent you from using a cradled phone and being prosecuted for other offences, though - not in proper control, careless driving, etc.

agtlaw

6,702 posts

206 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
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codenamecueball said:
The phone in a cradle thing will need a test case before we know for certain.

Mainly because I don't even think the police know what is and isn't okay, just the cut and dry offence of holding a phone is now even more serious.
The penalty is changing. That's it. You appear to have assumed some nonsense written on the internet is true.

agtlaw

6,702 posts

206 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
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Bunfighter said:
The points covers holding or using your phone for any reason.
Wrong.

99dndd

2,081 posts

89 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
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SS2. said:
Is that based on actual figures or just your perception ?
Perception.

Bunfighter

Original Poster:

37,116 posts

211 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
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agtlaw said:
Wrong.
so I can text, check a website, Facebook, change a song, dial or hold the phone in conversation?

SS2.

14,461 posts

238 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
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99dndd said:
SS2. said:
Is that based on actual figures or just your perception ?
Perception.
Thought it might be.

pits

6,429 posts

190 months

Friday 24th February 2017
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Warby80 said:
996TT02 said:
Warby80 said:
alock said:
Doesn't effect me. I can read/send text messages via the touch screen built into my dashboard while doing 70mph. Must be safe because the law hasn't banned it.
Just because its there doesnt mean you have to use it.
Where's the whoosh parrot when you need it?
I got the point, it was more just a general point about people moaning about touch screens in cars, mine has one, i dont use it while driving because its dangerous.
Was using one built into the new Toyota Avensis a few weeks back, it was a nightmare, constantly had to pull over to use it because
A. It was counter intuitive
B. Had tiny buttons
C. Required precise touching

There really is no need for touch screen in a car, by all means have nav and displays, but simple ways of controlling, or turn touch off when car is in motion

loose cannon

6,029 posts

241 months

Friday 24th February 2017
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vikingaero said:
Excellent - 2 strikes. Hopefully there'll be a lot of unemployed white van drivers and teenage girls.
And I'm guessing there be amassing 62 points biggrin

Tomo1971

1,129 posts

157 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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I dont condone anyone using their mobile when driving (unless held in a cradle and so 'hands-free') but there have been numerous cases on here and other forums (pepippo etc) citing instances when drivers have been accused of using their mobile by plod some distance away yet the claim is their phone was in the glovebox / boot or in one thread I read, he had left his phone at home! Police are human and can make mistakes - driver scratching ear etc. Once the points raises to 6, is there going to be any further safe guards to ensure that the reporting officer is not mistaken? No, of course not.

My other observation, as with speeding fines / points, it seems that there is a direct correlation between the chance of been caught and the level of punishment, ie, the less plod on the road, the higher the fine. In other words, as cuts affect the police service more, the points and fine will no doubt rise again.

Mr Tidy

22,270 posts

127 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Another good idea that is pointless due to lack of enforcement!

Total waste of time IMHO.

It will be interesting to see how many convictions (if any) are actually brought to the courts. rolleyes

Monkeylegend

26,335 posts

231 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Bunfighter said:
agtlaw said:
Wrong.
so I can text, check a website, Facebook, change a song, dial or hold the phone in conversation?
Maybe you are allowed to make a 999 call in an emergency?

Howard-

4,952 posts

202 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Bunfighter said:
Seems pretty straight forward to me. Just turn the thing off. Unless you often wait for calls from Hollywood Directors or your wife is a day away from birth.


Or just use bluetooth? Most cars have it nowadays.

anonymous-user

54 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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I read and send texts all the time while driving and will continue to do so. Hope that cheers everyone up smile

speedking31

3,556 posts

136 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Quick reminder. Last day to make those calls with the lower penalty wink

pingu393

7,778 posts

205 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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According to this https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-drivin... you can ring 999 or 112 on a hand-held mobile whilst driving only if it is unsafe to stop.

According to this http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2695/regul... you can ring 999 or 112 at any time on a hand-held mobile, but you can make any genuine emergency call if it is unsafe or impractical to stop.

The differences are subtle, but it shows the importance of referencing the legislation and not someone's interpretation of it smile

Bunfighter

Original Poster:

37,116 posts

211 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Monkeylegend said:
Maybe you are allowed to make a 999 call in an emergency?
Yep but you'd simply show your phone to prove this.

Dog Star

16,129 posts

168 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Being an M62 using biker I think this law coming in is excellent - being on a motorbike on such a busy road is shocking: the number of people phoning and texting is simply unbelievable. Younger females are the worst offenders for texting, I rarely see blokes texting but it's unusual to see a female that isn't!

Using the phone to call is ridiculous - are any cars sold nowadays that don't have bluetooth?

HOWEVER there are issues I have with this law - 6 points and the associated insurance grief is a stiff penalty to pay. I assume that all it will take to get ticketed for this is the say so of a single officer? It's fair enough if you're guilty but I've come across enough arsey coppers to know that there will be people who get prosecuted for this who weren't touching or using a phone. What if the policeman is wrong, or just plain nasty or vindictive.

I'll be keeping my phone in my jacket in the boot.

jaf01uk

1,943 posts

196 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Dog Star said:
Being an M62 using biker I think this law coming in is excellent - being on a motorbike on such a busy road is shocking: the number of people phoning and texting is simply unbelievable. Younger females are the worst offenders for texting, I rarely see blokes texting but it's unusual to see a female that isn't!

Using the phone to call is ridiculous - are any cars sold nowadays that don't have bluetooth?

HOWEVER there are issues I have with this law - 6 points and the associated insurance grief is a stiff penalty to pay. I assume that all it will take to get ticketed for this is the say so of a single officer? It's fair enough if you're guilty but I've come across enough arsey coppers to know that there will be people who get prosecuted for this who weren't touching or using a phone. What if the policeman is wrong, or just plain nasty or vindictive.

I'll be keeping my phone in my jacket in the boot.
I agree with the young female users, seems social networking is rated as a higher priority than driving!! I applaud the rising to 6 points and I reckon this was done to dissuade the young drivers from using their phones as I'm sure all on here are aware that 6 points in the first 2 years of driving equals a driving ban and resit so hopefully that might be enough to make the youngsters break the habit?

anonymous-user

54 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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cb1965 said:
PieSlayer said:
Exact same reason I don't have the radio on or carry passengers ever. It's all added distractions that could cause me to have an accident.
FFS don't say that as half of the 'tards in here will start citing it as a genuinely good idea

To be fair it WOULD be a good idea for half the 'tards on here......

pingu393

7,778 posts

205 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Something not mentioned so far is the possible price increase for the alternative course.

Although it will be the same course, my bet is that the price will increase.

Should you be allowed the option of avoiding six points with a course?