Is it illegal to alter your satnav while driving

[Gorse Hill]

Just a thought, while going to work this morning I needed to change address and did so on the sat nav, is this illegal to do whilst driving, interesting to know for future reference. Thks

 

[Yorick]

Dunno, but I once spilled my beer when trying to change mine. Now I always leave it alone

 

[Robert Clark]

I understand that's it's illegal to do anything that might distract you from driving, entering data into your satnav is much the same as texting

 

[Zigisla]

Some sat navs you have to accept the disclaimer that states in some places it is illegal. Don't think it is here but if you had an accident, or even wondered across the road, the coppers can say driving without due care and attention. Just pull over, probably best for the sat nav to pick up a new destination whilst stationary anyhow.

 

[G7UXG]

Not specifically an offence but Rule 150 of the Highway Code gives advice regarding use of in car electronic devices and possible distractions.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-hig...-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158

Proving non compliance with any section of the Highway Code goes a long way to evidencing an offence of driving without due care and attention or dangerous driving (as far as the courts are concerned).

If you have a crash causing serious injury or death then the powers that be will look VERY closely at any electronic devices in your vehicle.

Failure to follow the advice of the Highway Code may provide evidence in support of an offence. If a death is involved, prison may follow.

To re-cap, not specifically an offence but it's good advice to follow the Highway Code's advice.

Mike.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[davejen]

Why muddy the water?, it's STUPID and ILLEGAL.
Cheers, Dave

 

[Wildbill]

You could be charged if caught falling to be in charge of a motor vehicle just like mobile phone but every one just ignores those laws so I would not worry to much
bill

 

[wizzer59]

I would think a copper would take a pretty dim view and regard it as similar to a mobil offence but that is only my opinion, I'm not a copper

 

[G7UXG]

You could be charged if caught falling to be in charge of a motor vehicle just like mobile phone but every one just ignores those laws so I would not worry to much
bill

At your peril

 

[Wildbill]

At your peril

I personally don't use my mobile while driving and set at nave before setting of normally
bill

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[wizzer59]

But like ALL of us we do some pretty silly things in cars and vans that I'm sure if the Police could see wouldn't go down too well

 

[Reallyretired]

Sat nav in my car can be set hands free (well according to the handbook) with voice recognition. In practice its so difficult to get it to understand anything I say its easier to stop and set it by hand.

 

[Jabberwocky]

It's not illegal but if you cause an accident that is put down to you doing anything other than concentrating on driving, ie, changing a CD, playing with the radio, eating, drinking, smoking, swatting anoying backseat children, putting on make up then you are in the doo doo.

You can also be done for dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention even if no accident is caused.

And exception was made to make holding a mobile phone an offence in itself whether an accident is caused or not.

 

[DiggerJon]

Illegal or not, my wife was killed by someone concentrating more on his radio than driving. I rest my case........

 

[BFM14]

what is traffic cop? Thought they were only TV's series. Haven't seen one the roads around here for years.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Nik]

Mostly good advice above but there is an offence, which not specific, is or can be used as a 'catch all' and that is:
'Failure to have proper control of vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead, or using a hand-held mobile phone while driving (CU80)'
Section 41D Road Traffic act 1988.
Whilst this IS primarily used for drivers using mobile phones etc, whilst driving, it can also be applied to any situation where you remove a hand from the steering wheel, except to change gear or operate a control system in the vehicle (window, de-mister, etc) provided that your control of the vehicle is not affected.
IF you are having a fag, eating/drinking, operating the radio/CD, twiddling the satnav or doing anything where your attention and actions detract from your 'proper control' of the vehicle then you can, depending on the individual circumstances at the time i.e danger caused, be summonsed or given an FPN (E) for this offence.

It is often solely dependant on the interpretation of what has occurred, by the officer involved, as to whether this section is applied instead of a more serious or defined offence.

Either way you stand to go through a period of angst whilst you await a court appearance, or the FPN is processed and your driving licence returned with the requisite points attached plus you have to pay the fine and then ASAP inform your insurance company that you have been prosecuted, with the associated rise in premium for the next 5 years.

Hope this helps.
Safe driving
Best regards
Nik.

 

[hilldweller]

Many TV adverts encourage people to play with a computer screen when on the move.

 

[scotjimland]

Garmin can be set using voice commands..

The Chinese el cheapo truck sat navs only understand Cantonese

Fhuc Dat Bich http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34901370

 

[Gorse Hill]

As I thought, not advisable for reason given but wasn't sure if it was an offence , and very rarely do I do it and probably the first time that's what made me think about it, however having thought about it what if you were using your mobile as a sat nav which is certainly an offence but how different is this from a sat nav
As I said only ever done it a couple of times but a bit like going over 70, which I occasional do, no ones perfect

 

[Minxy]

You could be charged if caught falling to be in charge of a motor vehicle just like mobile phone but every one just ignores those laws so I would not worry to much
bill

Er, no not ALL of us ignore them! I do NOT use my mobile at all in the car if I'm driving, and neither does hubby. If we are on our own and can't stop to answer we just ignore it until we can or ring the person back assuming its registered their number ... NO phone call is important enough to risk killing or injuring someone, you or someone else! About time smoking was banned whilst driving ....

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Yorick]

Dunno, but I once spilled my beer when trying to change mine. Now I always leave it alone

To clarify, I never have more than 5 when driving

 

[Wildbill]

Er, no not ALL of us ignore them! I do NOT use my mobile at all in the car if I'm driving, and neither does hubby. If we are on our own and can't stop to answer we just ignore it until we can or ring the person back assuming its registered their number ... NO phone call is important enough to risk killing or injuring someone, you or someone else! About time smoking was banned whilst driving ....

high way coad rule 148 Rule 148: Safe driving and riding needs concentration

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Got to shut that bitch up somehow, just do not have an accident, concentrate on driving.

 

[Minxy]

high way coad rule 148 Rule 148: Safe driving and riding needs concentration

Eh????

 

[airwave]

I gotta admit , my understanding is , that it is an offence . Listed along with mobile phone / texting which carry's substantial fine's and penalty point's (due care and attention , lack of) . I've also heard muttering's about hand's free too .

what is traffic cop? Thought they were only TV's series. Haven't seen one the roads around here for years.

Now that is a very valid point , my friend . But it should be noted that most motorway patrol's , are now covered by VOSA , once part of the police force , and mainly used for the inspection of hgv's , they are now privately operated and cover's all road vehicle's . I believe they are privately funded , receiving no funding from the government , yet have full police power's . Consensus among trucker's is , they will prosecute , even minor offence's , to boost the coffer's .
Another thing that you should ask yourself , are you really sure you havn't seen any ? . Unmarked car's are not so easy to spot anymore . Gone are the day's when they used , high powered Swedish or German car's , and with the increased use of camera's/computor's/chopper's , they don't really have a need to stop you anymore .

The reason why it's also an offence , not to keep your licence up to date .

Many TV adverts encourage people to play with a computer screen when on the move.

Yeah , I noticed that too , and new motor's are getting more and more . Vauxhall assist could be interesting , sending full emergency service's to a possible accident .
Jeeze , they struggling to handle what they got . Their gonna love more false alarm's ..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[davanne]

The tom tom I use in my car won't allow you to use it when the vehicle is moving (even if I'm a passenger ) which I personally think is a good idea....if a driver is altering a sat nav they are not concentrating on their driving

 

[scotjimland]

Eh????

Rule 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

You MUST NOT smoke in public transport vehicles or in vehicles used for work purposes in certain prescribed circumstances. Separate regulations apply to England, Wales and Scotland.
Laws TSf(EV) regs 2007, TSfP(W) regs 2007 & TPSCP(S) regs 2006
http://www.highwaycode.info/rule/148

 

[Minxy]

Got to shut that bitch up somehow, just do not have an accident, concentrate on driving.

You do know you can change the voice don't you? I prefer the Irish lady, must more pleasant than the snooty English one! There are male as well as female ones, or you can get one of the numerous 'celebrity' ones ... wouldn't recommend Han Solo and Chewbakka though as Chewy making a noise can't half make you jump!

 

[Minxy]

Rule 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

You MUST NOT smoke in public transport vehicles or in vehicles used for work purposes in certain prescribed circumstances. Separate regulations apply to England, Wales and Scotland.
Laws TSf(EV) regs 2007, TSfP(W) regs 2007 & TPSCP(S) regs 2006
http://www.highwaycode.info/rule/148

I know about that but its not actually banned ... hence the 'Eh?' comment. Mind you, if they could I'm sure they'd ban us from even sneezing!

 

[Candapack]

Re Sat Nav voices, I experimented with a few;
Andy Murray - not good, fell asleep at wheel;
Margaret Thatcher - not good, couldn't help turning the exact opposite way;
Adele - not good, threw unit out window;
Mrs Candapack - not good, didn't realise voice not coming from unit, called her some unfortunate names.
Now find it better with no voice at all. Mrs C hasn't quite got the hang of that yet.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}