driving and phoning

[johnjo]

Is it legal to drive while using a mobile phone?

[admason]

Yes, but it shouldn't be. Police say that many deaths and injuries can be blamed on drivers using a mobile phone at the time of an accident. Not to mention the thousands of minor incidents and near misses. It's just insane to think that people can concentrate on driving and have a phone conversation at the same time.

[Susmith]

I agree with admason - the mobile phone seems to take priority over everything else. People interrupt conversations to answer it, and it disrupts every area of life. Maybe people like to feel they're indispensable or something. It really makes my blood boil to see people driving and using a phone at the same time. There's no way that it's safe.

[PDTV]

People are always driving with one hand for one reason or another - changing gear, switching on the radio, eating chocolate...whatever. Having a phone in you hand makes no difference - you can always put it down if you need to. We just need time to get used to the fact that people are always going to use their mobiles in their cars. Tiredness is probably more to blame for accidents on the roads but no-one's suggesting the sleep police are brought in.

[moorby]

Though there is no law banning the use of mobile phones whilst driving in a specific way, you can always be charged with an offence such as Careless Driving or Driving Without Due Care and Attention. The Highway Code does specifically state that you should not use a mobile phone or microphone whilst driving and refers to sections 2 and 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1998

[Birchy]

It's down to the police to administer any laws, and if they are currently habitually avoiding catching murderers, rapists, child abusers etc., then they are hardly likely to bother about drivers using mobiles. Traffic offences of all kinds should be contracted out so that the police can get on with catching real criminals. Driving without due care etc. IS serious, I know; but let's get it into perspective.