A horribly expensive mistake :(

neilmcl

Paradigm wrote: »

Holding a mobile is considered using so technically guilty!

You know the best bit? If the phone is in a cradle then you can text by just pushing the buttons :eek: As long as you are not "holding" the phone then this stupid law doesn't apply.

You really couldn't make it up... but someone did!

Are you sure about that. I thought it had to be "held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function".

Having said that, if the OP had simply pulled over and had the engine running they would definitely be commiting the offence.

lucylucky

Why the law was introduced in the first place goodness only knows, oh hang I do know it was the Labour government "nanny state lets appease the tabloids" style of politics.

Could easily be handled by pre-existing laws.

As for preaching it is all well and good dismissing it, but would people be so cavalier if the OP, or someone in a similar situation, been involved in an accident?

I suspect there would be a flood of condemnation.

C_Mababejive

Agree with LandyAndy post#3

The deed is done,just pay the fine/get the points ,put it behind you,lesson learned.

To err is human...

tomstickland

Fiddlestick wrote: »

No?

You attempt to trivialize your actions by stating "I do feel like I've been particularly unlucky, I thought that given the situation I may have just got a ticking off".

Yes you acknowledge that what you did was wrong and dangerous, but I don't think you really appreciate that people DIE because people try to trivialize their use of mobile phones and other devices whilst driving..

No one dies from trivialising the use of a phone. They die from lack of driver's attention.

Paradigm

neilmcl wrote: »

Are you sure about that. I thought it had to be "held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function".

Close with your quote but.....

"It is an offence to use a hand-held phone, or similar device, when driving."

Holding is, perversely, considered using.

"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."

Note: It doesn't say you must be making or receiving a call at the time!

Like I said, so badly worded it needs a complete revamp.

neilmcl wrote: »

Having said that, if the OP had simply pulled over and had the engine running they would definitely be commiting the offence.

Correct, stupid as it may seem

optimus_primera

On a different ,but sort of related point, why don't lorry drivers get pulled for using cb radios?
(Not having a go at lorry drivers,just wondered)

Charliezoo

scotsman4th wrote: »

Could you not have called them back?

unfortunately it was an estate agent calling me so not exactly a shoulder to cry on.

Come to think of it I hate estate agents even more now.

daveyjp

"Could easily be handled by pre-existing laws."

It couldn't because before this law there was no strict liability law for using a mobile.

Paradigm

daveyjp wrote: »

"Could easily be handled by pre-existing laws."

It couldn't because before this law there was no strict liability law for using a mobile.

Yes it could, it didn't need a specific law. The same law (DCA) used to prosecute drivers eating while driving would have sufficed.... remember the woman prosecuted for eating an apple?

keystone

tomstickland wrote: »

No one dies from trivialising the use of a phone. They die from lack of driver's attention.

Not when they have pulled over and stopped by the side of the road to take the call as the OP says they were. Don't be so melodramatic.

Cheers