Mobile phone again
Discussion
No I have not been stopped for using one but I have been in discussions with countless people over what the law now is. I now have a coppy of the new highway code that is as clear as mud. Is anyone able to find a definitive answer as to what is and is not allowed.
If a phone is securely fixed to the car am I allowed to touch it at all for any reason? whilst I am driving.
If a phone is securely fixed to the car am I allowed to touch it at all for any reason? whilst I am driving.
giantdefy said:
Seem pretty clear, yes you can use it in a holder or even a mat (which is surprising).Would I no, because thankfully my life isn't yet that shallow or desperate that I need to be buggering about on my phone every second of the day!
Stick it in a cradle for use as satnav/music player, but FFS don't text/facet
t/make outgoing calls, & only take incoming calls if there's little traffic about, & even then, just use hands free!
Bluetooth to FM adapters which include hands free microphone are available for less than a tenner....
The amount of people I see holding a phone to their ears in newish cars that almost certainly have built in bluetooth is astonishing - even our 8 year old work van has it!
t/make outgoing calls, & only take incoming calls if there's little traffic about, & even then, just use hands free!Bluetooth to FM adapters which include hands free microphone are available for less than a tenner....
The amount of people I see holding a phone to their ears in newish cars that almost certainly have built in bluetooth is astonishing - even our 8 year old work van has it!
Dixy said:
So a phone with Google maps on it has been set for your long journey and then securely fitted to the car, after half an hour it says there is now a quicker route because of congestion, touch here to change route, am I braking the law doing it?
Yup - that's why you should always have a Brazilian model travelling with you in the passenger seat at all times to touch the things you shouldn't....Alpinestars said:
Has to be held in the hand(s) and “used” at the same time to fall foul of the law.
https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-lawSo the question I would ask is if you are holding the phone in your hand, what are you doing with it, if you're not using it? Surely a mobile phone in the hand that is not being used, whether online or offline, is basically a 'brick'?
nordboy said:
So the question I would ask is if you are holding the phone in your hand, what are you doing with it, if you're not using it? Surely a mobile phone in the hand that is not being used, whether online or offline, is basically a 'brick'?
The mobile phone law (Reg. 110 / s.41D) requires the phone to be hand-held. Other offences may be committed if the phone is not hand-held but used whilst in a cradle. E.g. dangerous driving, careless driving, not in proper control.
A mobile phone with a dead battery is incapable of being used, hand-held or otherwise.
QuattroDave said:
Dixy said:
So a phone with Google maps on it has been set for your long journey and then securely fitted to the car, after half an hour it says there is now a quicker route because of congestion, touch here to change route, am I braking the law doing it?
Yup - that's why you should always have a Brazilian model travelling with you in the passenger seat at all times to touch the things you shouldn't....
If it's in a cradle or mounted then you're good. If you're holding the phone in your hand then you're not good.
Dixy said:
So a phone with Google maps on it has been set for your long journey and then securely fitted to the car, after half an hour it says there is now a quicker route because of congestion, touch here to change route, am I braking the law doing it?
According to that link above then no, you’re not breaking the law. Using devices hands-free
You can use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage. Hands-free access means using, for example:
a Bluetooth headset
voice command
a dashboard holder or mat
a windscreen mount
a built-in sat nav
Assuming the phone is secure in a cradle and you touch the screen to accept a change in route then you’re allowed.
MikeGTi said:
QuattroDave said:
Dixy said:
So a phone with Google maps on it has been set for your long journey and then securely fitted to the car, after half an hour it says there is now a quicker route because of congestion, touch here to change route, am I braking the law doing it?
Yup - that's why you should always have a Brazilian model travelling with you in the passenger seat at all times to touch the things you shouldn't....If it's in a cradle or mounted then you're good. If you're holding the phone in your hand then you're not good.
nordboy said:
https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-drivin...
So the question I would ask is if you are holding the phone in your hand, what are you doing with it, if you're not using it? Surely a mobile phone in the hand that is not being used, whether online or offline, is basically a 'brick'?
Ask away. The law requites use (widely drafted) and hand held. So the question I would ask is if you are holding the phone in your hand, what are you doing with it, if you're not using it? Surely a mobile phone in the hand that is not being used, whether online or offline, is basically a 'brick'?
agtlaw said:
The mobile phone law (Reg. 110 / s.41D) requires the phone to be hand-held.
Other offences may be committed if the phone is not hand-held but used whilst in a cradle. E.g. dangerous driving, careless driving, not in proper control.
A mobile phone with a dead battery is incapable of being used, hand-held or otherwise.
I understand all that, but why would you then be holding it on your hand while driving? So, in other words, really in the real world and not someone who's been caught fantasy world, anyone seen holding a mobile phone while driving, surely must be using it? why else would they feel a need to hold it?Other offences may be committed if the phone is not hand-held but used whilst in a cradle. E.g. dangerous driving, careless driving, not in proper control.
A mobile phone with a dead battery is incapable of being used, hand-held or otherwise.
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