mobile phone laws

DONTKNOWWHATTODO_4

I received 3 penalty points and a £60 fine, I had my mobile phone in my hand and it was ringing, I looked at it but did not answer.
Does anybody know the laws about this?

Browntoa

It is a specific offence to use a hand-held phone when driving. A hand-held device is something that “is or must be held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function.” A motorist can regard driving as meaning a vehicle with the engine running. In simple terms you can use a mobile as long as you don’t hold the phone and you can’t use a hand-held phone if the engine is running.

Can I use a hands-free phone while I’m driving?
Yes, but you can only use it if it can be operated without holding the phone. Therefore mobile phones should be placed in cradles which are attached to the dashboard. Pushing buttons is permissible

DONTKNOWWHATTODO_4

Does holding my mobile actually mean I was using it?

bargepole

DONTKNOWWHATTODO wrote: »

...I had my mobile phone in my hand...

That's all that needs to happen while driving, it doesn't matter whether you answered it or not, you committed the offence by holding the phone.

I suggest you leave the phone in your pocket, and get a decent bluetooth kit, preferably one which auto-answers the phone, and which uses voice-activated dialling. Never touch the phone when driving.

Andybez38

DONTKNOWWHATTODO wrote: »

Does holding my mobile actually mean I was using it?

I can see what your thinking. Does eating a choccy bar, changing your stereo also get such harsh penalties right? Where does it all end.

Inactive

Why would you need to hold a phone that is ringing, if you had no intention of answering it?? .

In fact why have it anywhere within reach of the driver?

scbk

Inactive wrote: »

In fact why have it anywhere within reach of the driver?

Why would someone have a vehicle capable of exceeding the speed limit?

Inactive

scbk wrote: »

Why would someone have a vehicle capable of exceeding the speed limit?

Not sure I understand what you are trying to say..

shirlgirl2004

Inactive wrote: »

Why would you need to hold a phone that is ringing, if you had no intention of answering it?? .

In fact why have it anywhere within reach of the driver?

Because if it's your MIL you aren't going to pull over and answer it

Conor_3

Andybez38 wrote: »

I can see what your thinking. Does eating a choccy bar, changing your stereo also get such harsh penalties right? Where does it all end.

Eating whilst at the wheel has before. You are classed as driving without due care as you are not in full control of the vehicle. So yes, you can be prosecuted for holding a mobile phone whilst driving but not under the specific offence for using a mobile.

vikingaero

scbk wrote: »

Why would someone have a vehicle capable of exceeding the speed limit?

The vast majority of vehicles can exceed one speed limit or another. Most cars can exceed 20 and 30 mph limits and also the National Speed Limit of 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

What about people who live in one member state such as Germany or the Isle of Man where there is no limit on certain stretches of road? What about the French who can drive at 130kph in the dry on autoroutes? Under your reasoning should a French car be allowed to drive on UK roads given that they have a higher limit? What happens if a British car drives in France but can only travel at 70mph instead of 81mph?