WARNING! NEW Mobile Phone Laws

[L' Hobo]

I know Funsters would not be unthinking enough to use there mobiles while driving BUT

On Saturday 25th March, additional new laws came into effect banning drivers from using their phones to take pictures or video's, play games or scroll through their playlist while on the road.

It is already against the law to use a handheld device for texting or calling while driving-except in a true emergency-including while in traffic queue's or at traffic lights.

Fines of up to £100 per offence and 3 penalty points.

Take care and stay safe!

 

[Landy Andy]

Another waste of time law.

No one to police it, and already covered by other laws.

 

[Janine]

The wording of the new law did clear up something for me though.

You can still touch your phone if you are using it as a satnav and it is in a cradle.

I was always unsure about that.

 

[L' Hobo]

Another waste of time law.

No one to police it, and already covered by other laws.

be careful of (Police) Trucks on the M25 etc.

 

[L' Hobo]

The wording of the new law did clear up something for me though.

You can still touch your phone if you are using it as a satnav and it is in a cradle.

I was always unsure about that.

I'm still unsure about that, how does that differ from scrolling down your playlist? I think you can only connect with your phone verbally?

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[Carpmart]

When is a phone in a cradle a media device and when is it a satnav….?

 

[Odd-no-more]

My only problem with this is; use when stationary, how can that be dangerous? or is it just easier to collect the fine money when the vehicle is not moving?

 

[Minxy]

My only problem with this is; use when stationary, how can that be dangerous? or is it just easier to collect the fine money when the vehicle is not moving?

Probably because you are still in control of the vehicle in a 'live' lane of traffic when you should be paying attention to the road etc.

 

[L' Hobo]

My only problem with this is; use when stationary, how can that be dangerous? or is it just easier to collect the fine money when the vehicle is not moving?

I
The fine money is....fine. It's the 3 points (for every offence) that worry's me more, I wonder how many they could charge you for on one prosecution happening?

 

[denisejoe]

It’s because some one famous got of a little while ago with a pricey lawyer

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[L' Hobo]

Probably because you are still in control of the vehicle in a 'live' lane of traffic when you should be paying attention to the road etc.

and how much they could, and should, get from the 'rubbernecker' in their passing vehicles at the scene of a motorway accident!

 

[Justus3]

My only problem with this is; use when stationary, how can that be dangerous? or is it just easier to collect the fine money when the vehicle is not moving?

It's the only way for the police to legally prove they are still in control of a vehicle and still able to drive. The only way the law see that you're no longer in control of a vehicle and not driving or able to drive it at the time. Is pulled over/park, brake applied and with the engine turned off. Which has always been the case when using a mobile at the wheel not hands free.

The only safe way to use mobile at any point is when not at the wheel. It's not worth the risk too many vulnerable road users have been killed or suffer life changing injuries. That will never change until this and other traffic offences are legally seen and treated in line with the mess they have on life. The preventable deaths will sadly continue.

On being ever court a word of warning if you end up in a custody suite. You will find out very quickly what they think (not in a violent way that is) about using mobiles when driving or others like drink driving. They've seen the deadly mess it brings and know what happens to families left behind.
Don't expect much sympathy from the Custody Nurse either.

 

[PhilandMena]

I wonder how many drivers comply with the changes made on the 29th January. I'm very surprised there have been no reported fatalities of pedestrians being run over when crossing the road at a T junction. In my experience so far, some drivers are aware and give way, the rest think they have the right of way because they are on the road and the pedestrian still on the footpath waiting to cross, so continue with many not indicating either. I wont mention the new laws for cyclist's.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If the phone is in the cradle can you use it in speakerphone mode?

 

[L' Hobo]

If the phone is in the cradle can you use it in speakerphone mode?

As far as I understand, if you do not touch it to turn it on or off while you are seated behind the steering wheel or travelling, Yes!

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[buttons]

It is time that all hands free calls were banned while driving too.

 

[sonny]

Remember when you get twitch you must have a hands free scratcher

 

[Dobby 2]

You might want to have alook at this. It's not just mobile phones.

 

[RedFrame]

The wording of the new law did clear up something for me though.

You can still touch your phone if you are using it as a satnav and it is in a cradle.

I was always unsure about that.

Really???

I thought touching a fully blown sat nav was banned, where does the new law state you can setup/change Satnav settings on the move?

 

[DuxDeluxe]

It is time that all hands free calls were banned while driving too.

…..and smoking……

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[buttons]

…..and smoking……

Smoking DD....Who smokes in a car these days.

 

[RedFrame]

…..and smoking……

The Tyres ???

 

[Oldrat]

Here is a document from The House of Commons library explaining in plain language, not only what you can and can’t do, but in most cases the logic behind it. I found it very useful.

Broken Link Removed

 

[MisterB]

On being ever court a word of warning if you end up in a custody suite. You will find out very quickly what they think (not in a violent way that is) about using mobiles when driving

Highly unlikely to end up in a custody suite for using a mobile when driving.

If it did happen, I would tell them to go and do one and not listen to them. They are there (in those circumstances) ONLY to catch those who break the law and not lecture anyone on the merits.

Ps I have the utmost respect for the police as a public service body, but not all those employed within their ranks.

 

[Janine]

Really???

I thought touching a fully blown sat nav was banned, where does the new law state you can setup/change Satnav settings on the move?

That's what I read but I can't find the article now. Perhaps it has been edited since?

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[DuxDeluxe]

Smoking DD....Who smokes in a car these days.

Lots of people apparently.

 

[iandsm]

Another waste of time law.

No one to police it, and already covered by other laws.

Highly unlikely to end up in a custody suite for using a mobile when driving.

If it did happen, I would tell them to go and do one and not listen to them. They are there (in those circumstances) ONLY to catch those who break the law and not lecture anyone on the merits.

Ps I have the utmost respect for the police as a public service body, but not all those employed within their ranks.

" I would tell them to go and do one and not listen to them" That, I would suggest could well the start of a journey to a custody suite. If not you ay be having a vehicle safety check, anything and everything they can think of that takes as long as possible and then you might have an eyesight test to.

 

[RedFrame]

That's what I read but I can't find the article now. Perhaps it has been edited since?

Just read through and IMHO I would interpret the wording as being able to have Satnav active and directing you ("using") NOT to be interacting with it, in any way, by using your fingers

 

[Janine]

Just read through and IMHO I would interpret the wording as being able to have Satnav active and directing you ("using") NOT to be interacting with it, in any way, by using your fingers

Yes, that's how I read it now but I definitely saw an article saying that, as long as the satnav/phone is attached to the car, it can be touched. I won't be risking it.

 

[cyberyacht]

I find doing anything with my Satnav requires my undivided attention. It's hard enough sitting on my drive setting the thing up.

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