Traffic Warden in car using handheld device whilst driving
Discussion
Where I'm currently sitting looks out over the front of the house and I just noticed a small white car slow down and pause in front of our driveway.
I'm on the first floor, so have a good view down into the car (a small white hatchback) and I noticed that there was one of the usual parking wardens doing her rounds. However, what really stood out was that whilst she paused (definitely not parked, just a quick slow down, stationary for two or three seconds, then pull away, definitely didn't use the handbrake) she was fiddling with her handheld device and she didn't put it down before pulling away again.
Bearing in mind the current crackdown on using mobile phones whilst driving, I was just wondering on the legality of what she did, obviously with the thought that she's supposed to be enforcing the law whilst possibly breaking them.
I'm on the first floor, so have a good view down into the car (a small white hatchback) and I noticed that there was one of the usual parking wardens doing her rounds. However, what really stood out was that whilst she paused (definitely not parked, just a quick slow down, stationary for two or three seconds, then pull away, definitely didn't use the handbrake) she was fiddling with her handheld device and she didn't put it down before pulling away again.
Bearing in mind the current crackdown on using mobile phones whilst driving, I was just wondering on the legality of what she did, obviously with the thought that she's supposed to be enforcing the law whilst possibly breaking them.
What was the 'handheld device' that she was actually using?
http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/advice_centre/ca...
"Q. Are drivers still able to use navigation equipment, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other computer equipment that sends or receives data (which would include GPS transmissions)?
Yes - providing that it is not a hand-held device. Use of devices other than mobile phones is only prohibited if the device performs an interactive communication function by sending and receiving data. If the device does not perform this type of function you can use the device without breaching the regulations. But remember the warning in the Highway Code (Rule 128) that using in-vehicle systems can be distracting. You must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times."
http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/advice_centre/ca...
"Q. Are drivers still able to use navigation equipment, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other computer equipment that sends or receives data (which would include GPS transmissions)?
Yes - providing that it is not a hand-held device. Use of devices other than mobile phones is only prohibited if the device performs an interactive communication function by sending and receiving data. If the device does not perform this type of function you can use the device without breaching the regulations. But remember the warning in the Highway Code (Rule 128) that using in-vehicle systems can be distracting. You must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times."
paintman said:
What was the 'handheld device' that she was actually using?
http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/advice_centre/ca...
"Q. Are drivers still able to use navigation equipment, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other computer equipment that sends or receives data (which would include GPS transmissions)?
Yes - providing that it is not a hand-held device. Use of devices other than mobile phones is only prohibited if the device performs an interactive communication function by sending and receiving data. If the device does not perform this type of function you can use the device without breaching the regulations. But remember the warning in the Highway Code (Rule 128) that using in-vehicle systems can be distracting. You must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times."
We have paperless parking permits on our streets, so the vehicles that are allowed/have paid to park (both permanently or temporarily) are registered on a central database. The handheld device is used to interrogate that database and check parked cars are on it. If they're not, they get a ticket.http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/advice_centre/ca...
"Q. Are drivers still able to use navigation equipment, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other computer equipment that sends or receives data (which would include GPS transmissions)?
Yes - providing that it is not a hand-held device. Use of devices other than mobile phones is only prohibited if the device performs an interactive communication function by sending and receiving data. If the device does not perform this type of function you can use the device without breaching the regulations. But remember the warning in the Highway Code (Rule 128) that using in-vehicle systems can be distracting. You must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times."
Hobnobgti said:
If you care that much then write a complaint to the council. My personal advice would be get a life.
Similar to the people that take pictures of police cars on double yellows..."one rule for them and one for us!!111"...well yes thats the law.
Care that much? Not sure where you get that from, I glanced out of the window by my desk to see why a car had pulled up in front of my drive, saw what I wrote above and then spent about 30 seconds writing a forum post about it as I was intrigued as to the legal position of someone who is supposedly out there enforcing rules.Similar to the people that take pictures of police cars on double yellows..."one rule for them and one for us!!111"...well yes thats the law.
My personal advice would be "Calm down dear, it's only the internet".
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff