headphones on the move

[docevi1]

Hi,

quick question, is it illegal to have music playing on headphones while driving?

I'm guessing it is, but for longer drives on M/Ways it is very tedious just driving and since I don't have a radio (nor space to fit one) in my car I'm wondering...

Not sure about how safe it would be either for that matter but thats another question.

[paolow]

not sure on the legalities, but i have seen it and IMHO its a damn stupid thing to do. driving relies on four of the five senses to one degree or another so to remove one is asking for trouble. if you must have your music how much is a cheapo stereo? personally when im at work i drive with my drivers window open whenever possible as i depend on the information i get from my ears to tell me what is going on around me. youd be surprised how much you can hear and how it affects your driving and im concious that, in a string of cars im usually the first to react to sirens etc and so react accordingly.

>> Edited by paolow on Monday 29th March 11:45

[pbrettle]

Answer to the question - yes....although dont forget that profoundly deaf people can drive - though I think they get special dispensation. You have to be able to hear what is going on around you (and what happens to the car) - that could mean just using a single headphone, which is legal. Two certainly isnt but I am not sure of the actual crime...

[streaky]

A report in a Sunday newspaper that loud stereos in cars can cause accidents.

Move to ban them I say!



Streaky

[docevi1]

as I pointed out paolow, weather its a good idea is a matter for debate... It's not a case of buying a cheap stereo and fitting it in, it's a case of having no where to put a stereo into the car.

Music isn't all that important when you're on back roads, it's when you're on a m/way that I'm thinking (rather tedious sitting at 3k rpm), the other thing is the wind noise I get is deafening...

thanks for the replies. I don't I will be doing it, just wondered.

[Shaun_E]

This question comes up quite regularly (have a search), but basically there is no law that says you can't use headphones when driving. What is the difference between a portable music player using headphones and a fitted car stereo? - answer none really. It comes down to the volume that you are playing the music at - you can listen to music on headphones and still hear what's going on around you just the same as if you were playing music through speakers. In my Caterham I use Autocom ear defender headsets so that I can speak to my passenger - there is a facility to play music through the Autocom and I find that it no more masks external sounds than the stereo in my other car.
The relevant law is a section of the RTA and also the Highway Code section 126 (here: www.highwaycode.gov.uk/12.shtml)

[paolow]

docevi1 said:

as I pointed out paolow, weather its a good idea is a matter for debate... It's not a case of buying a cheap stereo and fitting it in, it's a case of having no where to put a stereo into the car. Music isn't all that important when you're on back roads, it's when you're on a m/way that I'm thinking (rather tedious sitting at 3k rpm), the other thing is the wind noise I get is deafening... thanks for the replies. I don't I will be doing it, just wondered.

sorry - having re-read my post - it wasnt supposed to sound like an attack on you and i do know your car is a little different from the rest you know you can get cradles that sit under your dash to put your stereo in? or, failing that, get your tools out and make a stereo hole? ive also seen stereos mounted on the passenger side of the transmission tunnel and you could route the wires under the carpet. i suppose its how far you want to go to have your tunes and whether or not youd consider adding a stereo to be 'spoiling' your car.

[pmanson]

Just an idea......

How about a portable CD player connected to some small portable speakers (The sort things that argos do). You could locate the speakers somewhere in the car and then have the CD player somewhere where you can get to it to change tracks etc.

[telecat]

Try finding some "Open backed" headphones. These allow sound in.

[docevi1]

um, the car is really, really tight. I can't fit a stereo into the dash (no space), you sit up against the drive tunnel and legs are tight under the dash. No chances "inside" the cockpit (behind the seats, on top of the petrol tank would compromise space too much).

The option I have, which I think I will take eventually is to put an amp under the bonnet and then speakers between the seat belt mounts (triangular space which fits speakers I have nicely), then put my iPod to it.

All fine and dandy, but I'm not even sure if I could get the music loud enough to be able to listen to it. Then of course the flip side - is it too loud for other road users? I'll be experimenting later this month tho

thanks for clearing the legal aspect up for me

[Munter]

Can you Velcro a diskman someplace?...then just use the headphone socket to some active speakers...or line out to an amp...Plus you can whip it out the car stick your head phones in and use it on foot.