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It
is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving
and the penalties have increased.
As from 27th February 2007 you will
now receive a £60
fine and three penalty points
on your licence. Points can mean higher
insurance costs and can lead to disqualification.
You can also be prosecuted
for using a hands-free mobile phone if you are not in proper control of your
vehicle. The penalties will be the same as for using a hand-held phone. And
the penalties for driving carelessly or dangerously when using any phone can
include disqualification, a large fine and up to two years imprisonment.
Can I use my
ordinary mobile handset?
"Hand-held" is the
watchword in the new regulations. If you need to hold your mobile handset
then you will be in breach of the new law and liable for a £60 on the spot
fine and a 3 penalty point endorsement on your license.
What about hands-free kit?
Using hands-free
equipment will not be an exception, if you still have to hold the mobile
handset to dial a number or even just to press the "receive call" button
when someone is ringing you.
So I have to get a factory fitted mobile?
No, a cradle that holds
your mobile and is fixed to the dashboard will do the job. You will need a
hands-free kit to continue the conversation, such as an earpiece and
microphone or a Bluetooth headset. Interactive PDAs and navigation aids will
also need cradles. Using a hands-free device with voice dialling and
auto-answering would also be appropriate.
Texting is also out, although it seems tapping out a text would be allowed
if the phone remained fixed in a cradle. But this is likely to fall foul of
the existing rules that you must drive with due care and attention.
What if I
cradle the phone on my shoulder?
Propping a mobile
between your shoulder and chin will not be tolerated since you will still
seen as holding the phone, albeit not with your hands.
So do I have to switch my phone off?
No. Phones can be left on in a car, but, unless you
have hands-free kit, if you are driving when it rings you must ignore it or
pull in and park safely before answering it.
What if I'm waiting at traffic lights?
You are still considered to be driving. The same goes
for if you are stuck in a traffic jam. In really bad snarl ups, however, you
would clearly not thought to be driving if your engine was turned off.
What about an emergency call?
There is an
exemption for 999/112 calls to the emergency services where it is unsafe or
impractical to stop.
I've got to use a phone for my job
Not good enough. You will still be liable for a
penalty. If your boss has insisted you take calls while driving he or she
could also be breaking the law.
Breaker, breaker... what about CB radio?
Curiously perhaps, two-way radio is not covered by the
law, so it's not an offence to have a conversation while driving, using a
hand-held CB radio microphone. Two-way radios that double up as mobiles will
not be allowed, though.
Bluetooth or
Standard mobile phone kits supplied and fitted on request.
Drop in or
call us for more details
© 2008 Scot Of Haddington (2008) Ltd |
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