Use of Handsfree mobile phones
Discussion
Does anyone know whether hands free headsets are, or are about to become illegal. Last year the governement were proposing that by 2003 all hands free systems that are not premenently fitted to the vehicle will become illegal.
All I can find on the internet is the following statement below:
"You must have proper control of your vehicle at all times. If the use of a phone causes you to drive in a careless or dangerous manner you could be prosecuted for those offences. The penalties include an unlimited fine, disqualification and up to two years imprisonment."
www.dtlr.gov.uk/campaigns/mobile/
All I can find on the internet is the following statement below:
"You must have proper control of your vehicle at all times. If the use of a phone causes you to drive in a careless or dangerous manner you could be prosecuted for those offences. The penalties include an unlimited fine, disqualification and up to two years imprisonment."
www.dtlr.gov.uk/campaigns/mobile/
Using a hands free phone is exactly the same as talking to the person sitting next to you.
So do we expect a banning of talking in cars or the compulsory ejection of all passengers.
But then what about the people who talk to themselves, ah maybe that's it. The government is slowly getting round to finding a reason for us not to drive anymore so they can ban it.
Just makes me want to.....
So do we expect a banning of talking in cars or the compulsory ejection of all passengers.
But then what about the people who talk to themselves, ah maybe that's it. The government is slowly getting round to finding a reason for us not to drive anymore so they can ban it.
Just makes me want to.....
mungo said: Apparently next year the wire to your ear type affairs are being made illegal so the only way to stay on the right side of the law is to have a proper hands free kit for the time being
I've got a bluetooth earpiece which is wireless and the handset is not hard-wired into the car. If the earpiece 'wire' is going to be illegal, then bluetooth is probably cheaper than getting your phone wired into the car (seeing as either the phone or car will change every year or so).
Using a hands free phone is exactly the same as talking to the person sitting next to you.
No it is not, it has been proven that when you are talking to someone outside the car via a phone you distance yourself from driving.
I have a wired handsfree and its all to easy to be driving and talking on the phone then after the call think, shit where did the last 40 miles go.
Cheers
Justin
Apparently they ban will include bluetooth head sets as well..
See: PG 15 secion 8
www.roads.dft.gov.uk/consult/mobiles/pdf/mobiles.pdf
"The proposed prohibition would apply to the use of all mobile phones or similar devics that are not hands-free. We do not consider that the phone needs to be physically held in the driver's hand in order to commit an offence. This prohibit the use of hand held phones used with an earphone and microphone whether using a wire or wireless connection. Even though they can be used 'hands-free' to some extent these still require the user to hold the phone in order to press buttons or to read a message on the phone's screen."
The only information I have seen is that this was proposed last year and that there would be a 12 week investigation...
Does anyone know if it will become law in April??
See: PG 15 secion 8
www.roads.dft.gov.uk/consult/mobiles/pdf/mobiles.pdf
"The proposed prohibition would apply to the use of all mobile phones or similar devics that are not hands-free. We do not consider that the phone needs to be physically held in the driver's hand in order to commit an offence. This prohibit the use of hand held phones used with an earphone and microphone whether using a wire or wireless connection. Even though they can be used 'hands-free' to some extent these still require the user to hold the phone in order to press buttons or to read a message on the phone's screen."
The only information I have seen is that this was proposed last year and that there would be a 12 week investigation...
Does anyone know if it will become law in April??
"Using a hands free phone is exactly the same as talking to the person sitting next to you. "
You shouldn't be doing that either. You should be concentrating completely on your driving.
Alarmingly a lot of people don't seem to be able to talk to their passengers without looking at them. They still adhere to the same eye contact facing 'rules' as if they were chatting to someone in in the pub.
You shouldn't be doing that either. You should be concentrating completely on your driving.
Alarmingly a lot of people don't seem to be able to talk to their passengers without looking at them. They still adhere to the same eye contact facing 'rules' as if they were chatting to someone in in the pub.
Many years ago a mate of mine was chatting to me as he drove and he did have a disturbing habit of having to look at me for several seconds whilst driving at 70-80 on an A road.
He got a major shock though when I had to scream "WATCH THE ROUNDABOUT!!". He promptly locked up everything, mounted the triangle approaching the roundabout and came to a halt sideways across the roundabout in front of an oncoming driver.
He got a major shock though when I had to scream "WATCH THE ROUNDABOUT!!". He promptly locked up everything, mounted the triangle approaching the roundabout and came to a halt sideways across the roundabout in front of an oncoming driver.
(section 9)... It should be permanently wired into the vehicle and use one or more speakers permanently fixed in the vehicle; or be plugged into a unit in the vehicle (commonly a cradle on the dashboard.
Does this rule out a bluetooth car kit?
Why would anyone permanently wire their mobile to a car?
Can't see the logic at work here. The distinction between permanently installed handsfree kits and wireless earpieces is pretty silly.
Almost every phone is capable of auto-answering without any keystrokes being required, and similarly, almost all phones can voice-dial after a single keystroke (or indeed pushing a button on the earpiece.)
That is the bare minimum anount of interaction required with the phone, and it makes no difference if the handset is clipped to the dash with or without wiring.
You shouldn't have to fumble about for the phone, and you shouldn't try to dial a number manually EVER while driving. Doesn't make any difference at all whether the phone is wired to an internal speaker or has a bluetooth link to an earpiece.
Almost every phone is capable of auto-answering without any keystrokes being required, and similarly, almost all phones can voice-dial after a single keystroke (or indeed pushing a button on the earpiece.)
That is the bare minimum anount of interaction required with the phone, and it makes no difference if the handset is clipped to the dash with or without wiring.
You shouldn't have to fumble about for the phone, and you shouldn't try to dial a number manually EVER while driving. Doesn't make any difference at all whether the phone is wired to an internal speaker or has a bluetooth link to an earpiece.
jesusbuiltmycar said: I think blue tooth in car kits are fine, since they are permenently fixed to the vehicle and you do not need to hold the handset to operate it.
Bluetooth headsets will probably become illegal for road use (Unfortunatley I bought a bluetooth headset last year)
But assuming you have voice dialling the phone could be in your pocket, or the boot of the car - much less likely to look at the screen than if it was in a cradle in full view of the driver. If you have voice activation as well, you don't even need to press a button.
Andy.
PS thanks atg - obviously took too long to write this post - it's difficult to touch type whilst I am driving
>> Edited by boiler on Monday 17th March 17:53
You shouldn't have to fumble about for the phone, and you shouldn't try to dial a number manually EVER while driving. Doesn't make any difference at all whether the phone is wired to an internal speaker or has a bluetooth link to an earpiece
But you have to fumble about trying to find your bluetooth headset thats slipped down beside the seat, only to find the battery is flat.
JustinP
I used to use the in the ear style things and they drive me mad, number of the times the phone flops out of the receptacle that I've left it in, or can't find the ear piece to answer a call, the wire gets tangled round the gearstick etc, then I have to turn the radio off as well...
I now use the nokia hands free kits in all my cars and it is so much simpler, and safer having the phone in view when a call is received and you just press the answer button. The radio cuts out so you aren't messing about trying to turn the radio off at the same time. speed dial for the frequent customers, and that's my lot.
Having said all that, with the sunny weather I put the phone on divert, take the roof off the car and let my customers work out their computer problems themselves...
Just my two penneth.
Regards
Paul
I now use the nokia hands free kits in all my cars and it is so much simpler, and safer having the phone in view when a call is received and you just press the answer button. The radio cuts out so you aren't messing about trying to turn the radio off at the same time. speed dial for the frequent customers, and that's my lot.
Having said all that, with the sunny weather I put the phone on divert, take the roof off the car and let my customers work out their computer problems themselves...
Just my two penneth.
Regards
Paul
I can't see any safety difference between a Bluetooth set up and a wired-in kit. In fact even a wired handsfree doesn't seem too bad either. They are definitely safer than cradling the phone to your ear while driving.
But if it's the act of having the conversation that is the distracting part then surely it doesn't matter whether the phone is wired in or not? And how much more dangerous is it than having an "animated" conversation with your passenger, shouting at the radio, waving the coffee beans at some plonker who's just cut you up?
But if it's the act of having the conversation that is the distracting part then surely it doesn't matter whether the phone is wired in or not? And how much more dangerous is it than having an "animated" conversation with your passenger, shouting at the radio, waving the coffee beans at some plonker who's just cut you up?
What really annoys me about watching people veer all over the road whilst on the phone is Why, after spending twenty thousand pounds plus on a car (in many cases) they cannot be arsed to spend £100 on a proper hands free kit to make using the phone safe?
We have Nokia Kits in all our vehicles which means that phone are compatable with whatever we are driving, is it so difficult?
Nick
We have Nokia Kits in all our vehicles which means that phone are compatable with whatever we are driving, is it so difficult?
Nick
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