What do you think is the current law in the UK about using mobile phones whilst driving?

Question

The law is changing on February 27 but what do understand to be the current restrictions and penalties? Can you text but not talk? Can you use a hands-free? Do you just get a telling off?

Answer 1

You may use as long as it is not held, but you must keep control of vehicle. Fines are £30 fixed penalty up to £1k more if bus or hgv.

Answer 2

At the moment the law states that you cannot use a mobile phone whether hands free or hand held while the vehicle is in motion ~ the fine is a minimum of £30 raising to a maximum of £1000 for car drivers or a maximum of £2500 for van, lorry, bus and coach drivers.

this is definately not enough as I saw a young child killed on a pedrestrian crossing by a woman using a mobile phone, it should be a minimum of £100 and 6 points on the person's licence and if caught a second time an automatic ban, that would might make people think twice before using it.

Yes I do have a mobile phone and no I don't use while I'm driving, if it rings I wait until I'm home then ring them back and I always tell people that I don't answer my mobile when I'm driving.

Answer 3

AAAHHHHH -High fines!..Its so annoying the number of near misses etc i have had re people trying to talk on the phone( holding) and steering a car. Hands free, yep no problem. You cant possibly pay attention and hold a phone to your ear! Both hands should be used in driving( unless a disability or special circumstances predicts otherwise!) I actually witnessed a guy trying to change gears with his right hand while holding a phone in his left!!! i couldn't believe that he was actually trying to manoeuvre a 3 point turn..unbelievable!( females are just as bad!) At present its a fine for using same while driving which includes texting if caught!( in fact that's worse I was guilty once for that one when I first purchased a phone!.bad bad bad!)
What did we do before phones? we had ansa phones, letters, message & memo boards. If the call is that important a couple of minutes can wait until you are safely stopped. & parked up! If the person really wants to talk to you they WILL call back or be patient!( And before anyone 'starts' yes there are other driving habits that are just as bad but we discussing mobiles here!!)

( Great Britian site)
http://www.dft.gov.uk > Road Safety > Driver and rider safety > Mobile phones


Its all There!

Department for Transport (National)

Tough new penalties for illegal mobile phone use from 27 February 2007


Motorists face tough new penalties for breaking the law by using a hand-held mobile phone while driving from February 27 2007, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today. From that date, the fixed penalty will for the first time include the award of three penalty points as well as doubling the fine to £60.



IF IN DOUBT GO WITHOUT!

Answer 4

The law increases the penalties for using a mobile phone whilst driving.

You may use a hands-free but if you're driving is affected the police may still prosecute under the Due Care and attention law.

You will not get a telling off. The warning period expired a year ago. These days they nearly always prosecute. (£60 + 3 points)

If you text whilst driving you are extremely irresponsible and should have your car crushed with you and your phone in it.

Answer 5

From what I've heard, the new law on using mobile phones whilst driving could result in a £60 fixed penalty fine, plus 3 points on your license. Just holding the phone up to your ear, where it might be seen by a copper, is probably all that it takes to get nicked! Don't even think about doing it. As for texting, which requires 'eyes down look in', this is even more effin dangerous. The best trick while driving is to keep an eye on the road ahead as far as you can possibly see, while at the same time keep glancing in all of your mirrors. By doing this, you'll know if its safe to use the mobile phone.

Answer 6

I think that this new law sucks. Drivers should be assessed on their individual skill and be determined whether they are allowed to use a mobile or not. The reason i say this is due to the amount of times i have been in near misses caused by bad driving skills (mainly women and old men in hats & leather driving gloves) far out numbers the amount of times the amount of times if any caused by people on mobiles.

I personally don't use my hand held but my hands free and its not down to a safety choice but the fact the nanny state we live in deciding that i am not skilled enough to drive and speak at the same time then fine me.

I agree with anti-smoking and driving argument. speaking as a nonsmoker i don't know, but doesn't every puff give some sort of 'high' which cant be good for driving.

And all this this guff about two hands on the wheel at all times. How the hell do you change gear unless you drive an automatic?

As for a blue-tooth headset. I'm not gonna go out looking like an extra from some star trek episode.

Answer 7

Use a hands free phone only when absolutely necessary. Texting messages is a complete No No. Using a hand held phone is not only a danger to others but to yourself as well. The law is there to protect all. This law needs to be more strictly enforced with tougher penalties for those that choose to ignore it. Currently penalties are a fixed fine with 3 points on your licence. More if you you have a driving without due care and attention charge.

Answer 8

Hi,
I personally think there should be more publicity to explain this.
TV has adverts about the dangers of smoking etc. They should have something similar about the use of mobiles whilst driving.

More severe penalties, bigger fines - 6 points etc, might deter people a bit more, but people nowadays have no, or little respect for the law, because it fails them in so many ways.

I personally use a bluetooth headset, and try not to answer my phone when driving, preferring to ring back when convenient.

Its really annoying that other drivers can't be as considerate, because I have had a few new misses because of people using their phones when driving.

You are fighting a battle you cant win - unless you impose tougher penalties.

Answer 9

If you are using a mobile phone without blue-tooth (wireless) hands free it will be a £ 60 and 3 points points. Rising to up to £ 1000 if it goes to court by police recommendation or by the driver refusing to pay. If you are using hands free however and still driving without due care and attention you may also risk prosecution. The idea of using blue-tooth head sets is that you don't have to remove your hands from the wheel to answer the call ie auto answer etc. Texting!!!!! Absolutely not. Same penalties as above. Does anyone really think they can can look down at a phone to text and still keep full attention on the road. I find it amazing that those who still insist on driving with one hand propping the phone to their ear value life so little when a blue-tooth head-set costs as low as £ 20 nowadays. Not only will the pedestrian suffer injury or death in a collision but the driver has to live with the sight of a body hurtling towards his/her windscreen. £ 20 could prevent that

Answer 10

At present the law states that a £30 is enforceable if caught using a hand held mobile phone. No penalty is in-forced if "hands free".
The new law will in-force a £60 fine and 3 points for using a hand held phone (Car driver) heavier penalties for Bus and Lorry drivers. I think this should be extended to the use of hands free phones as well.

Answer 11

the use of mobile phones while driving is illegal, however, you are allowed to use handsfree, providing it does not interfere with your ability to drive. TEXTING IS OUT, this would mean that you are driving with undue care and attention, be careful with this one if you are doing it.

As of 1 December 2003, penalties were introduced with a fixed fine of £30, or a fine on conviction of up to £1,000 plus three penalty points on the driver’s licence.

So, it is best never to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, as you are not in full control of the vehicle.
It is also best not to use a hands free phone while driving, as you will still be distracted and your mind will not be fully on your driving. It is not like talking to a passenger, who is aware of the traffic conditions and can see what is happening whilst your are driving.
Keep the phone switched off, use voicemail or divert call to take messages.
Only use the phone after you have stopped in a safe place.