Mobile phones used in cars
 

It seems that the media, and the retailers are mis-informing people as the the new law regarding mobile phone use in cars.

This is from http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/64/34001.html:

"So what does it all mean?

In a nutshell, it will become an offence for someone to hold and operate a mobile device in their hand while they are driving, or to use a device, even if it is fixed in a cradle, for sending or receiving data. The latter includes emails, text messages, picture messages and accessing the Internet. The legislation also reiterates something that has always been the case, ie. that any use of equipment in a manner that interferes with the driver's proper control of the vehicle can lead to a charge of careless or dangerous driving.

Those with a keen eye will have spotted that the legislation deals with driver behaviour and not the legality or otherwise of specific types of equipment. This is interesting when we look back at some of the retailer campaigns and news stories. Some of these have suggested or implied that all headsets and ear-pieces will be illegal and that fixed hands-free car kits - with the phone wired into the car's power supply and sound system - are necessary for compliance. Others have suggested that headsets are OK, provided they are based on the wireless Bluetooth approach.

Such claims and implications are not only inaccurate, but miss the point. As a spokesperson for the Hampshire Police put it: "There is no such thing as compliant or not-compliant equipment. It has more to do with equipment being used in a safe manner."
"

The Department for Transport has a very interesting FAQ at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/group...ty_025216.hcsp

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

So when will they stop people doing the following:
Tuning the radio, changing tape/cd
Smoking
Putting on make up (no not me!)
Styling hair
Drinking coffee
Eating lunch
Picking Nose (Yuck!)

All whilst driving...

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

Here we go again Tricky, this issue has been done to death before, all of your above points are covered by the general term careless and dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention. We didn't even need a special action for using mobile phones there is sufficient law there. My guess most police who have enough to do, will ignore it, as they do many infringements these days. Thanks to scastle for an informative post, interesting even a £30 fine suggested, what a joke.

Frankly, something must be done, in this area too many drivers use cell phones whilst driving and the sooner the police act to do something to stop it the better and it really should mean three points on the license, if it is to mean anything at all. Only severe punishment will stop this menace.

:ninja:

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

I doubt it. They had me a while back for not wearing a seat belt while driving. Now if I crash its me that gets hurt so what business is it of theirs. someone's making something somewhere



PS is this ruddy quote problem going to get fixed

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

because emergency services have to attend the crash/accident to save u they may be risking their lives in the process and it cost to scrape you off the road

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

hmmmm i have a small hand held remote control for my kenwood 10 stack in the boot.....i presume i am not allowed to change cds etc no more whilst driving?
i always thought this was a lot safer than leaning over to the dashboard and fiddling with the front of a cdplayer or tapedeck etc....
any thoughts?

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

Agreed, but even if you have a fixed hands free kit, if they can prove you were driving without due care and attention, then they're gonna chuck the book at you anyway or at least the £30 fine.

I would enforce a stronger law than the 3 points, take the phone off them - This'll stop the company car/mobile users as the companies will be forced to install proper kits etc otherwise they'll be losing lots of cash replacing phones.

I was followed the other evening (as I was doing exactly the speed limit) I was bored doing the speed so was driving along with my head resting on my hand - I'm sure they were checking for me using a phone - I really wished they'd pulled me as I have a real handsfree kit installed.

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

Just been reading about this again tonight (for another thread) and I found one thing which I never knew - The new law also applies to anyone supervising a learner driver, while the learner driver is driving. - apparently "anyone supervising a learner driver needs to be concentrating on what the driver is doing and should not be using a mobile phone".

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

yep... my dad is a driving instructor, and he was told at a briefing that not only can he be prosecuted if someone drives without due care, but can also get points on his license if someone he is sitting with is speeding! but then again, i suppose he does have the handy brake pedal on his side if they are tempted so shouldn't be too much of a problem!!

MB

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

Well, to be honest it's only right really. They are paid to sit and instruct that person. The person driving is probably inexperienced and unable to deal with all situations they may encounter on the road. For a driving instructor to be chatting away on a phone is a bit irresponsible really.

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

I can't disagree with any of the legislation.

It just needs to be extended to people driving supermarket trollies as well. :mad:

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

Err, anyone want to merge the two threads running on this subject into one?

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

Not really - the other one is about the police but has drifted a bit off topic and happens to be talking about mobiles.

This topic is actually about mobile phone use in cars - merging them would be wrong.

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

At the end of the day I see an easy solution....that will probably never happen but it would solve many un necessary accidents.

Put some kind of shielding in all new cars body that will block the signals = no more mobiles whilst driving. problem solved.

Re: Mobile phones used in cars
 

Should we replace all the windows with sheets of lead? :D