Is it illegal to wear headphones while driving?
Discussion
GreenV8S said:
Only reason I can think of is lack of due care and attention if you can't hear vehicles around you, but not fundamentally any different to a well insulated vehicle with the stereo turned up.
Precisely what I was thinking, aren't you allowed to drive if you're deaf as well?The reason I ask is that I enquired on the TalkAudio forum about wiring up headphones to the HU in my Elise to save my hearing on long journeys, all I got were replies of "put more sound deadening in" and "it's illegal to drive in headphones"...
AL...Ease said:
GreenV8S said:
Only reason I can think of is lack of due care and attention if you can't hear vehicles around you, but not fundamentally any different to a well insulated vehicle with the stereo turned up.
Precisely what I was thinking, aren't you allowed to drive if you're deaf as well?The reason I ask is that I enquired on the TalkAudio forum about wiring up headphones to the HU in my Elise to save my hearing on long journeys, all I got were replies of "put more sound deadening in" and "it's illegal to drive in headphones"...
GC8 said:
AL...Ease said:
GreenV8S said:
Only reason I can think of is lack of due care and attention if you can't hear vehicles around you, but not fundamentally any different to a well insulated vehicle with the stereo turned up.
Precisely what I was thinking, aren't you allowed to drive if you're deaf as well?The reason I ask is that I enquired on the TalkAudio forum about wiring up headphones to the HU in my Elise to save my hearing on long journeys, all I got were replies of "put more sound deadening in" and "it's illegal to drive in headphones"...
My thoughts come from my ham radio stuff, and raynet involvement years ago.
We were only allowed to have one ear covered (rather like the Police radios).
Von , where fore art thou ?
GC8 said:
AL...Ease said:
GreenV8S said:
Only reason I can think of is lack of due care and attention if you can't hear vehicles around you, but not fundamentally any different to a well insulated vehicle with the stereo turned up.
Precisely what I was thinking, aren't you allowed to drive if you're deaf as well?The reason I ask is that I enquired on the TalkAudio forum about wiring up headphones to the HU in my Elise to save my hearing on long journeys, all I got were replies of "put more sound deadening in" and "it's illegal to drive in headphones"...
There is no specific law to cover it although I suppose if involved in a crash and you were wearing headphones it could be asked would a careful and competent driver have done so. If a court decides one doesn't then it may be possible for a due care.
However, as already stated, deaf and hard of hearing people can drive which sort of says it doesn't matter whether or not you can hear what is going on around you.
However, as already stated, deaf and hard of hearing people can drive which sort of says it doesn't matter whether or not you can hear what is going on around you.
The fact that you can drive whilst profoundly deaf is irrelevant. A registered blind person can hold a drivers licence but I would suggest closing your eyes is not a good option.
In a case of careless the prosecution would have to prove that wearing headphones substantially reduced or potentially reduced your ability to recognise and react to hazards or, maybe, not from which direction the sound came.
There would be a number of defences to this and I'd suggest that the mere wearing of headphones was insufficient of itself to constitute careless driving.
A few years ago when I was still in the Job some t
t of an MP suggested that the reason cars drove into bikes was that so many cyclists wore earphones so such devices (tht's earphones although I felt his real intention was to ban cyclists). I know MPing is a mixed ability profession but the implications of such a move are quite wide. For a start, it would render ICE an offence. Further I've ridden in a Merc which had double glazing and you couldn't hear the peasants screaming as you pushed them into the gutter as you drove past. That was quite invigorating.
So the simple answer is no. But if you wanted to wear earphones then there are some which do not reduce background noise to any geat extent so one could argue that it was as safe or even safer than having the radio on.
I'm quite deaf in one ear and a little hard of hearing in the other. This does make it difficult for me to detect direction of sound, although it has become easier as I've got used to it, so perhpas just the one earphone is not the complete defence it might appear.
In a case of careless the prosecution would have to prove that wearing headphones substantially reduced or potentially reduced your ability to recognise and react to hazards or, maybe, not from which direction the sound came.
There would be a number of defences to this and I'd suggest that the mere wearing of headphones was insufficient of itself to constitute careless driving.
A few years ago when I was still in the Job some t
t of an MP suggested that the reason cars drove into bikes was that so many cyclists wore earphones so such devices (tht's earphones although I felt his real intention was to ban cyclists). I know MPing is a mixed ability profession but the implications of such a move are quite wide. For a start, it would render ICE an offence. Further I've ridden in a Merc which had double glazing and you couldn't hear the peasants screaming as you pushed them into the gutter as you drove past. That was quite invigorating.So the simple answer is no. But if you wanted to wear earphones then there are some which do not reduce background noise to any geat extent so one could argue that it was as safe or even safer than having the radio on.
I'm quite deaf in one ear and a little hard of hearing in the other. This does make it difficult for me to detect direction of sound, although it has become easier as I've got used to it, so perhpas just the one earphone is not the complete defence it might appear.
I have searched lots of documents on this subject including the road traffic act and the highway code. Headphones are not mentioned anywhere. The most relevant item I could find was section 148 of the highway code:
148
Safe driving and riding needs concentration.
Avoid distractions when driving or riding such as
loud music (this may mask other sounds)
trying to read maps
inserting a cassette or CD or tuning a radio
arguing with your passengers or other road users
eating and drinking
smoking
This only says to avoid loud music.
The other point I think is important is that most motorcyclists (and Caterham drivers) wear ear plugs to avoid damage to their hearing - I find it unlikely any court would find this illegal.
148
Safe driving and riding needs concentration.
Avoid distractions when driving or riding such as
loud music (this may mask other sounds)
trying to read maps
inserting a cassette or CD or tuning a radio
arguing with your passengers or other road users
eating and drinking
smoking
This only says to avoid loud music.
The other point I think is important is that most motorcyclists (and Caterham drivers) wear ear plugs to avoid damage to their hearing - I find it unlikely any court would find this illegal.
Edited by Shaun_E on Thursday 16th April 08:50
Edited by Shaun_E on Thursday 16th April 08:50
funnyimpreza said:
People on the bus do it and M3 drivers have their bluetooth headsets ready for meetings. Both not illegal. I had my iPod in as its blocks how loud both the engine and exhaust are very loud LOL
It would be illegal looking at the MP3 to change the track though IMO
Is it illegal to change the track on your CD player?It would be illegal looking at the MP3 to change the track though IMO
Always difficult to prove that something is not illegal by the absence of regulation prohibiting that something.
And the assumption that doing something that most other peole do not do must therefore be illegal is also rife.
The mistaken belief that wearing of headsets ( and helmets ) inside a car on the road must be illegal is a recurring urban myth in forest rallying.
Neither is illegal
And the assumption that doing something that most other peole do not do must therefore be illegal is also rife.
The mistaken belief that wearing of headsets ( and helmets ) inside a car on the road must be illegal is a recurring urban myth in forest rallying.
Neither is illegal
I would hate to be deprived of my sense of hearing when driving, especially if making progress. I like to hear what the engines doing, and any odd noises that happen occassionaly such as a stone trapped in a brake caliper, or an object trapped in the tyre tread.
Also, and this won't apply to many, I use a variable amount of boost by using an electronic valve controller on the dash, so need to listen out for any sign of detonation on WOT.
Also, and this won't apply to many, I use a variable amount of boost by using an electronic valve controller on the dash, so need to listen out for any sign of detonation on WOT.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff