SatNav / Handsfree Legality

[SebastienClement]

Hi all,

This is probably going to sound like a ridiculous question, but I genuinely don't know. I've been given a sat nav which also has bluetooth for taking phone calls. The system obviously has a cradle that can attach to the windscreen. I have positioned this so that it does not obstruct my view. Lovely.

Now, what are the legalities of taking phone calls while on the move? Obviously it's hands free so I don't need to hold it, but I DO need to press the answer button on the screen - this is the bit that worries me!

The Gov.UK site simply says:

[quote]It’s illegal to hold a phone or sat nav while driving or riding a motorcycle. You must have hands-free access, such as:

a bluetooth headset
voice command
a dashboard holder or mat
a windscreen mount
a built-in sat nav
The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.
[/quote]

Which doesn't actually answer my question at all. Is it illegal to press a button on the sat nav while it's sat in its cradle, and while the car is being 'driven'?

Many thanks!

[JM]

SebastienClement said:

Which doesn't actually answer my question at all. Is it illegal to press a button on the sat nav while it's sat in its cradle, and while the car is being 'driven'?

Many thanks!

No it's not illegal to press a button on a sat-nav, just like it wouldn't be illegal to press the button on the phone, if it's in a cradle.

[KevinCamaroSS]

SebastienClement said:

Which doesn't actually answer my question at all. Is it illegal to press a button on the sat nav while it's sat in its cradle, and while the car is being 'driven'?

Many thanks!

Yes, it does. It is illegal to 'hold'.....

[Chalkius]

If it's being held in a cradle, you're fine.

It's only if you're having to hold it to operate it that it becomes an offence automatically.


Be careful though as if while you're looking at your satnav and operating it, you bump into someone, that could still be careless driving.

[SebastienClement]

KevinCamaroSS said:

Yes, it does. It is illegal to 'hold'.....

No it doesn't.

My question was: "Is it illegal to press a button if the device is held in a cradle."

The answer in the link was: "It is illegal to hold a phone or satnav while driving"

That is an answer to a question that I didn't ask!

[Alucidnation]

Jesus fking Christ.

Some people really are a lost cause.

[Osinjak]

Alucidnation said:

Jesus fking Christ.

Some people really are a lost cause.

You're a charming fellow really. Do you just wander the site waiting for a opportunity to wade in with your mean-spirited and abusive comments? Why don't you just fk off somewhere else you tedious individual.

[mikecassie]

For me it is no different from answering the in-built handsfree in my car, I need to press a button to accept the incoming call. All I would say is ensure you will not be distracted by looking for the button to answer the phone call.

[LosingGrip]

mikecassie said:

For me it is no different from answering the in-built handsfree in my car, I need to press a button to accept the incoming call. All I would say is ensure you will not be distracted by looking for the button to answer the phone call.

This. If not you have careless driving or driving whilst not in proper control.

[Terzo123]

SebastienClement said:

No it doesn't.

My question was: "Is it illegal to press a button if the device is held in a cradle."

The answer in the link was: "It is illegal to hold a phone or satnav while driving"

That is an answer to a question that I didn't ask!

It's not illegal to press a button.

However if pressing said button effects your driving then potentially you could be charged with a number of other offences depending on the circumstances.

[SebastienClement]

mikecassie said:

For me it is no different from answering the in-built handsfree in my car, I need to press a button to accept the incoming call. All I would say is ensure you will not be distracted by looking for the button to answer the phone call.

That's what I figured, thanks. I guess you'd be up for the same offences if you were distracted by tuning a radio or other built in devices too?

[KevinCamaroSS]

SebastienClement said:

KevinCamaroSS said:

Yes, it does. It is illegal to 'hold'.....

No it doesn't.

My question was: "Is it illegal to press a button if the device is held in a cradle."

The answer in the link was: "It is illegal to hold a phone or satnav while driving"

That is an answer to a question that I didn't ask!

Yes it does. It states what is illegal - the holding, therefore anything else should not be considered illegal. As other have pointed out other offences could be committed whilst pressing the button but not the holding offence.

[speedking31]

I think the confusion is that the part quoted by the OP has to be read in conjunction with the title of the page:

gov.uk said:

Using a phone or a sat nav when driving

It’s illegal to hold a phone or sat nav while driving or riding a motorcycle. You must have hands-free access, such as:

a bluetooth headset
etc.

It surely cannot be illegal to hold a phone which is turned off, e.g. to get it out of a pocket and pass to a passenger. It is holding, using and driving that is illegal.

[Tomo1971]

The UK.gov site is misleading on most things law related. Find the relevant statutes for fact.