UK - mobiles banned while driving from Dec 1

[smokie]

The SI has been issued which bans use of mobiles whilst driving, unless they are hands free.

It's here, if anyone is interested http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2003/20032695.htm

I understand it's OK to use your Dictaphone though...

[Ruptured Duck Motorsport]

I understand it's OK to use your Dictaphone though...

Is that "hands free", wouldnt voice dialling be easier?  

[Robbo SPS]

Looks like the Police will be recieving lots of crank calls to evade the penalty then  

[jpchenet]

So will it also be illegal for the Police to use mobiles and  radios while driving???

[Robbo SPS]

So will it also be illegal for the Police to use mobiles and  radios while driving???

After reading the info and having a friend in the job , he states . No F*****g way . All Plod cars in Hampshire have hands free radios and those that need them hands free phones and have for years . Somehting about road safety  , image ... blah blah blah.

The excuse is that they are dealing with the emergencies i suppose ? Either that or the Plod will be issued with handsfree kits for the phones ??


Wait for the Sun to get hold of that one and dig around.... remember the Kit Kat eating lady on the M3 a few years ago .......

[wishy]

I actually agree with this "hands free" thingy.

I do 35k miles a year in my work and I see so many "knobs" driving erattically and not concentrating on what they are doing when using phones while driving.

I've been using hands free for 3 years and have found it much easier to drink a cup of tea without using ths cruise control to do the driving, and make phone calls at the same time.

Wishy

[smokie]

Look like two-way radios are specifically excluded

"(4) A device referred to in paragraphs (1)(b), (2)(b) and (3)(b) is a device, other than a two-way radio, which performs an interactive communication function by transmitting and receiving data"

6 (d) "two-way radio" means any wireless telegraphy apparatus which is designed or adapted -

(i) for the purpose of transmitting and receiving spoken messages; and

(ii) to operate on any frequency other than 880 MHz to 915 MHz, 925 MHz to 960 MHz, 1710 MHz to 1785 MHz, 1805 MHz to 1880 MHz, 1900 MHz to 1980 MHz or 2110 MHz to 2170 MHz;

[jpchenet]

I thought that was the case Smokie!

I agree Wishy. I use a hands free kit myself and get sick of seeing people weaving around the road with one hand on the phone and one ofn the gear stick while they try to steer with their knees. That said, UI also get annoyed with people driving along not looking where they are going whilst looking backwards over their shoulder to talk to the kids in the back. I also saw a woman about a month ago swerve across all three lanes of the motorway, apparently she had dropped her lit cigarette into her lap!!

[Russ]

If there's a Band-Wagon, I'm on it...  

Are there any plans to get Corsa's and Micra's banned? They seem to have been designed with slow poor drivers in mind...

As a general rule, if you can't see the back of the head of the driver in front, because they are shorter then the head rest, they will be going about 20 - 30 miles an hour below the speed limit, they won't indicate, and they think they are being safe... A leathal combination!  

I must confess,   I was given some very glaring looks when I was smoking a cigarette, reading a map and on my phone whilst at the wheel.... but the dopey tw@t giving me evils neglected the fact that I was stationary... It makes me wonder if the great marvel that is a human brain is actually all it's cracked up to be!  

[Black Widow]

I'm in agreement with Wishy, too.  There are hands free kits out there that don't cost the earth.  Mine cost £20.  Works well enough.  How about legislation to force the phone companies and outlets to include in-car kits with all new phone sales.  Or what about one of those phone companies taking a responsible stance and do this voluntarily.
Russ, can the ban also include all women driving 4x4's during school run times, that would clear 50% of traffic during the morning peak periods!

[Ruptured Duck Motorsport]

The was some knocker on TV today harping on about actually having a conversation on a phone is distracting and that using a mobile, hands-free or non, should be out-lawed (he was from the Institute of Advanced Motorists BTW) as your mind is elsewhere even after the call!!!!  There are far worse drivers out there, even with their minds supposedly on the road.

What a "see you next tuesday" !!!  What is next for the ban - talking to passengers? Carrying passengers without gags? Changing radio channel?  Smiling? Enjoying driving your car?  Thank f**k for tracks.....

[jpchenet]

I'm in agreement with Wishy, too.  There are hands free kits out there that don't cost the earth.  Mine cost £20.  Works well enough.  How about legislation to force the phone companies and outlets to include in-car kits with all new phone sales.  Or what about one of those phone companies taking a responsible stance and do this voluntarily.
Russ, can the ban also include all women driving 4x4's during school run times, that would clear 50% of traffic during the morning peak periods!

Depending on the type you have, that may actually be illegal anyway  

My understanding is that it has to be a hard wired in car hands free kit. The "in your ear" type that most people get free with their phone won't be legal. I've heard question marks about the ones  that plug into your cigarette lighter too.

[wishy]

Whats the difference between hard wired and cigarette lighter type.....!!!The only differnence I know of, is that if you have the radio on the hard wired type mutes the radio for the call coming in or if you are dialling out.

ihave the cigarette lighter type and a phone mount wihich i find adquate for the job.

Wishy

[smokie]

The official regs in my link seem to indicate that it's OK so long as you never have to actually hold the phone. So manual dialling seems to be OK so long as it's in a cradle.

I'm probably wrong, and I'm not a lawyer, so this is purely a personal view...

[Ruptured Duck Motorsport]

Awwww Smokie - and there was I all rady to use the "That bloke of the internet, 'Smokie' said it was OK for me to do....."