Is talking on cell phone while driving an offence?

Question

while driving a car without a hands free set.

Answer 1

yes, in the UK at present this carries a £60 fine and 3 penalty points

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

I am amazed that anyone in the UK needs to ask this question. Where have you been all year? The real question should be will I get caught using a cell phone - to which the answer most of the time seems to be no. I see people doing it all the time. Worst one ever was a man on the phone with one hand and eating an apple with the other! He can obviously drive safely without using either hand! It makes me furious when I see it.

Answer 4

Depends on the state you live in. In New York there is a law that you cannot drive and talk on the cell phone at the same time. Military Installations have started this driving rule as well. In some states if they do not have a specific rule for driving on a cell without a hands free set and it becomes a problem then you can be given a citation for distracted driving or a similar offense. So best advice here is to drive with a hands free it is the best way to drive if you are going to be talking on a cell phone.

Answer 5

In Ireland and Britain we call them Mobile Phones. Yes it is they are really cracking down on this now and you will get Penalty Points added to your Licence and be Fined. As a matter of fact they are thinking of Banning using the Phone whether you are using a Hands Free or a BlueTooth Device . Although some People sometimes still use the Phone in there Hand and they are caught, they chance it.

Answer 6

On February 27, 2007, the penalties for using a mobile phone at the wheel got tougher.
previously, you would have received a £30 fine if you’re caught, but now, you’ll get three points on your licence as well, and the fine has increased to £60.

Hampshire Constabulary officers will be patrolling the county and the Isle of Wight, making sure that drivers take notice of the new law and clamping down on those who ignore it.

Research has shown that it is often hard to do two things at once, and if you use your mobile phone when driving, you are four times more likely to have a crash. Members of the public are being asked to take notice of the new law, and listen out for TV and radio campaigns explaining the changes. Police officers will also be talking to members of the public across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the run-up to the new law, and handing out leaflets highlighting the penalties.

Hampshire Constabulary Roads Policing Inspector, Peter Hughes, said: “If you drive and talk on a mobile at the same time you are putting your life and the life of other road users at risk.

“You can’t concentrate properly on the road ahead and getting caught a few times may also mean losing your licence.

“We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe. Remember to switch your phone off before you get behind the wheel.”



How does the law apply to me?
You will be breaking the law if you pick up or use any type of phone that must be held to operate it.
You will not be allowed to use your phone if you are stopped at traffic lights or when queuing in traffic. This includes picking up your phone to send and receive texts or browsing the internet!

Why are the penalties getting tougher?
Research shows that if you use any type of phone while driving, even a hands-free, your reaction times are worse than if you drive under the influence of alcohol.

In fact, tests have shown that reaction times for a driver using a hand-held mobile phone were 30% worse than for driving while drunk and nearly 50% worse than driving under normal conditions. Talking on a mobile and driving means you are unable to concentrate fully on the road ahead and cannot react as quickly to hazards.



Are there are exceptions?
Yes - a driver will be able to call 999 from a mobile in a genuine emergency, when it is impractical to stop and make a call.



Points on your licence
If you are a new driver you won’t have to be caught many times before your licence is taken away. If you get six points in the first two years after passing your test you will be disqualified under the New Drivers Act.

You can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free mobile if you are not in proper control of your vehicle. The penalties will be the same as for using a hand held mobile.



Think!
Only use your mobile after you have stopped in a safe place, but NEVER on the hard shoulder of a motorway, except in an emergency.

Set up a voicemail service on your phone so if someone does ring when you are driving they can leave a message.

A hands-free phone can be just as distracting as a hand-held one, so avoid using them.

The law is there for a reason and we all have a responsibility to drive safely.

If you are the caller and phone someone who is driving then end the conversation immediately. You also have a responsibility!

Answer 7

interior the united kingdom we've even had powerful prosections for ingesting an apple, and additionally eating water on an identical time as stopped at site visitors lights fixtures! we've additionally had television fact cop shows the place police have been making use of on an identical time as protecting a cellular telephone in one hand and changing kit with the different - inspite of there being different officers interior the automobile. This grew to become into Strathclyde Police. needless to say, inspite of the clean video information, no prosections occurred. We even had a police officerchronic an unmarked motor vehicle at 159mph on a toll highway and at 91mph in a 30 cut back, yet he grew to become into no longer given any penalty. The court widespread that he grew to become into 'getting used to his automobile'. something extra advantageous than 30mph over the cut back usually leads to an prolonged ban (the m-way cut back is 70mph). One regulation for them, yet another for something individuals.

Answer 8

What a question !
Don't you ever listen the news on TV or read newspapers ?
Each time I can come along someone on the phone while driving, I blast my car horn. I wish everyone else did the same to people driving while chatting.

Answer 9

In the UK YES! I gather that you get 3 points on your driving licence & £80 fine....SO DO NOT DO IT! In fact if you wnat to chuck away your money you can send ity to me & then you can keep a clean driving licence!

Answer 10

Talking is OK. It's holding it in your hand that is illegal. If you have it in a bracket on the dashboard and use the loudspeaker, or even a wired earpiece that is legal, as are all the hands free sets available. NOTE you must be in proper control of the car so don't even think of texting.