Mobile phone in cradle - legal to use? Recent test cases?
Discussion
It seems the law on mobile phone use while driving remains vague in relation to the specific question of whether my phone is still a hand held device when it's mounted in a cradle fixed to the car:
https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-drivin...
Several webpages later and I'm still unclear whether I can lawfully use my phone as a sat nav and for speakerphone calls while it's in its cradle:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=113...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.policespecials.com/forum/index.php/topi...
Etc etc.
Has any recent case law clarified things at all? Would be grateful for some facts (rather than speculations or "pretty sure"s or "IIRC"s).
Thanks
https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-drivin...
Several webpages later and I'm still unclear whether I can lawfully use my phone as a sat nav and for speakerphone calls while it's in its cradle:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=113...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.policespecials.com/forum/index.php/topi...
Etc etc.
Has any recent case law clarified things at all? Would be grateful for some facts (rather than speculations or "pretty sure"s or "IIRC"s).
Thanks
The points raised in this thread are exactly why I've asked for clarification. Some people think that if my phone is in the cradle it's legal to touch the screen to interact with it (since I'm not holding the device) and it's exactly like a sat nav, while others point out the words "hands-free" in the Government's explanation of the law and suggest that it's not lawful to use my hands in any way when interacting with my phone. (In which case, why are sat navs OK?)
At some point these things must have been tested in court, surely? Since it seems to be open to interpretation, the law seems a little vague.
At some point these things must have been tested in court, surely? Since it seems to be open to interpretation, the law seems a little vague.
allergictocheese said:
Google the regulations and read them. They're written in an odd language known as English. They're not designed to trick you.
Didn't I link to the regulations in my first post? If so, I have already read them. If those aren't what you mean, please could you tell me where I can find them?allergictocheese said:
No, the actual wording is here (the relevant regulation is 110 of the Construction and Use Regulations 1986).
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2695/regul...
Ah, thanks. That seems fairly clear. Appreciate the link.http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2695/regul...
agtlaw said:
Hand-held + using = offence
Cradle + using = not an offence, unless "not in proper control" - in which case, slightly different offence, same penalty.
And given your profession, thank you for your input too. Cradle + using = not an offence, unless "not in proper control" - in which case, slightly different offence, same penalty.
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