Mobile Phone Whilst Driving

[Bazile]

Is it correct that if you are now caught using a mobile phone whilst driving ( including if you pull in to the side of the road ,but still have the engine running ) you will automatically lose your licence for three months ?

[Flonska]

If current and correct . . . you can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone when driving. You’ll lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last 2 years.

You can get 3 penalty points if you don’t have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle.

You can also be taken to court where you can:-

be banned from driving or riding
get a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus)

[webbo3]

Nothing here.

http://metro.co.uk/2018/03/01/change-law-driving-mobile-phones-big-effect-7351134/

or here.
https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

or here.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/2180138/illegal-mobile-phone-driving-laws-fine/

[tonyav]

If you are a new driver for the first two years it only takes six points to get a ban. Six points now if caught using a mobile phone at the wheel.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/2180138/illegal-mobile-phone-driving-laws-fine/

[Flonska]

it is also an offence to use a mobile phone whilst a vehicle is stationary in a lay-by or at the side of the road with the engine running.

[Baldric]

What's the point?
For a couple of Hundred Quid most cars can be fitted with a 'Hands Free Kit' if they don't already have one as standard.

[douglas9401]

Or for around a tenner then upwards a Bluetooth earpiece can be had.

[EDDIE51]

^ Yes, even using a hands free phone while driving is illegal.
There are proposals to make even driving with your phone on , but not using it illegal . You will need to actually turn your phone off while driving to stay within the law if the proposals become law.

[EDDIE51]

^ The point is that even using a hands free phone, means you are taking your eyes off the road to look at it and see who is calling.

[Bazile]

So just to be clear then - if you've stopped at the side of the road / in a laby ,with your engine running using your phone ,you'll be commuting an offence ?

[Baldric]

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/illegal-use-hands-free-phone-1154906

///Could I be prosecuted for using a hands-free device?
If you have set your device up properly, you will not need to touch to mobile phone while driving at all. This is deemed completely hands-free and legal.
You are allowed to use a phone if it is fully hands-free – you’re not allowed to pick it up and operate it even momentarily.///

EDDIE, do you have a Link to back up your 20:56 Post?

[douglas9401]

I guess it'll soon be illegal to have a car fitted with a radio or speedometer too.

[EDDIE51]

^ The last information I saw said that the car must be 'off the road' & with the engine stopped and hand brake on before it is legal for a driver to use a mobile phone. So it is OK in a layby as long as the engine is turned off and the hand brake on.

[Baldric]

EDDIE @ 20:58,
No different to looking at a Speedo or Sat Nav.

[Flonska]

Yes, Bazille, the engine must not be left running.

See the details see in this link: https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law for the rules "when you can use a hand held phone."
either - you’re safely parked
or you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.

[Davemano]

There are proposals to make even driving with your phone on , but not using it illegal.
Where does this come from?

[Prudie]

From the RAC (at least lets get the facts right)
"Hands-free phone use: the law
You are allowed to use a phone if it is fully hands-free – you’re not allowed to pick it up and operate it even momentarily.

Any hands-free devices should be fully set up before you drive, so you can take calls without handling the device."

[douglas9401]

"There are proposals to make even driving with your phone on , but not using it illegal.
Where does this come from?"

The current edition of The Bumper Book Of Wrong Stuff?
Smoking in an open air market is in chapter 6.

[vulcan42]

I think it's from the ministry of silly talks.

[EDDIE51]

Baldric I don't have a link, but the proposal to make it illegal to have a phone even turned on but not being used while the car is being driven has been on the news recently.
Using a hands free phone while driving is already covered in the rules.
It is considered as dangerous as drink driving, as you are partly concentrating on the phone call & not 100% on the road.
The lorry driver who was jailed for causing death by careless driving last week, was convicted because he was using a hands free phone at the time and did not see the parked mini bus until he actually hit it and killed several passengers.

[Baldric]

EDDIE, I was referring to

//even using a hands free phone while driving is illegal.//

I don't think The Police have caught on to that yet