Is a driver allowed to use any other equipment like a hands-free mobile phone or 2-way radio equipment?

Answer 1

i would say yes as long as it is entirely hands free once you are connected up

it would be breaking the law as soon as you had to use yours hands to operate it whilst driving

and i believe it is legal in the UK to use hands free

Answer 2

Technically you can use a mobile phone (hands free) whilst driving and not be prosecuted for that use, BUT, if you were to cause an injury to anyone or cause an accident then the police would find it very easy to prosecute you on the grounds of "Driving without due care and attention" or worse. As for CB they weren't included in the current legislation probably due to an oversight by the politicians. If you must use a CB, you can get a throat mike and still keep your hands on the wheel. To give you an example I was driving down a dual carriageway and had just overtaken another lorry, (I am an HGV driver) when I took one sip from a spill proof mug placing it in a cup holder, I was pulled by the boys in blue and handed a £30 spot fine for "Failing to be in control of a Vehicle".
Just think what the police could do if you were using a CB or Phone even hands free. With the best will in the world if someone says that using a phone/Radio whilst on the move doesn't affect there driving is fooling no one but themselves. The best thing to do is switch off or pull over.

Answer 3

Yes. There is a dispensation for emergency vehicles and also for Amateur Radio operators. However, because of the inherent nature of distraction, anyone using a mode of communication whilst driving a motor vehicle could be committing an offence if a Police Officer has the perception that this was impairing the driver's ability to control his vehicle.
The definitive Act & Section:
The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) (Amendment) (No.4) Regulations 2003 Statutory Instrument 2003 NO 2695.
This can be viewed at: www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2003/20032965.htm
This is the Wording:
The use of two way radio equipment (unless the device can also be used as a phone) when driving is not included in the new offece. It must be remembered that there is still a risk of distraction and prosecution under other laws should an accident occur.

If stopped by the Police for operating mobile Amateur Radio, this Statutory Instrument should be quoted but look at the website for all exemptions under this law.
Mobile phones being held in hand or on shoulder will and should be prosecuted.

Answer 4

Dont know but i used used to use a cb radio one many years ago and often found going round roundabouts tricky sometimes having to drop the mic to carry out a manouver
so i would say they are all dangerous to driving now that we can have hands free for almost anything
I am amazed we still let people Smoke whilst driving as often smokers have only one hand on the wheel and have a means of igniting a fire in an acident within the vehicle very dangerous indeed

Answer 5

You can use a two way radio ( i.e. a c.b radio ) as long as it is hands free these are available from the shop you got your cb from, or by using a toggle switch mounted on the dashboard that you can touch with a finger with your hand still on the wheel, or i think you can get get a mic that stays open so you can talk and recieve at the same time. it is better being safe than nicked.
As an ex-bus driver i used to use a radio but the mic was operated by a button on the floor, ( the buses were automatic so no clutch)

Answer 6

I believe that the road traffic laws allow drivers to use a hands free mobile phone. I would imagine that the laws allow drivers to use 2-way radio equipment if it did not involve holding on to it while diving. Of course these laws are far too restrictive to the vast majority of sensible individuals, none of whom cause accidents whatever they are doing with their mobile phones or radio equipment.

Answer 7

I would say yes. I may even argue that hands free encourages you to take your eyes off the road - why not use your phone properly?

While I don't know the statistics (would be interested to though if anyone does) I would imagine that use of mobile phones, whether hands-free or not, is actually not a causing factor in the majority of accidents.

Surely if a person is not capable of talking and driving at the same time they shouldn't be driving! If you do need full attention (such as late at night / not sure where you're going) then common sense dictates stay off the phone!

Just my tuppence worth!

Answer 8

Yes and do you know one thing it takes away from frustration, but it does not distract, this is why in drivers ed class we are taught to drive with two hands, one on 10 o'clock and one hand on two o'clock. They don't take drivers ed here in Glendale, Iran's and Iraq's, get in the car and cell phone, kid or give the kids to there 14 yrs. down here. I watch and so does the system, no will do anything, anyone with a two way or a band system is intelligent and also knows how to use one and knows the rules and regulation, cell phone and Armenia's don't have that.

Answer 9

Interesting question, given that I see a Police Officer this lunchtime operating his radio that he had attached to his shoulder while driving!!! How different is that to using a handheld phone. I have a car kit and still find this a problem as the number buttons on the phone are so small!

Also, is texting ok while driving if the phone is in a car kit????

Answer 10

London bus drivers use two way radios all the time via a peddle button on the floor!
As far as i know hands free phones correctly fitted are permitted too!

Answer 11

Perhaps you can clarify this for us, please? There seems to be a lot of confusion!

Here in the UK, people seem to think that hands-free is legal, but something I read in the paper seemed to suggest that it isn't, but that the police will only prosecute if this is shown to be contributory to an accident. There was one recently where the driver was prosecuted for texting, and she lost control of the car.

A new hazard is to find cars pulled over in dangerous places in order to take a call.

It should be the law that mobiles have to be switched OFF in a car - if you want to make a call or text, fine, but only in a layby or somewhere else safe, none of this ad hoc stopping. We used to manage to live our lives without being contactable 24/7.

As for 2-way radios, I would've thought that it's illegal unless you're police or a taxi (who don't have to wear seatbelts either!), but I don't really know.