A horribly expensive mistake :(

daveyjp

"Again you're right (with the law bit) but does picking up a mobile to see who's calling & then stop the car to take the call really equate to someone driving after sinking 10 pints? I don't think so!"

Ten pints is an extreme example. To be done for DD you don't even have to be driving the car, this was done to act as a deterrent, just as the mobile law is.

Use it when the engine is running and you get a fine - easy to understand, no grey areas, no problem with me.

Lum

daveyjp wrote: »

Use it when the engine is running and you get a fine - easy to understand, no grey areas, no problem with me.

The fact that regulating that is idiotic and pointless doesn't bother you?

What if they passed a law stating that it was illegal to use a mobile phone within a 10 foot radius of a car on alternate Thursdays. Would you just accept it and comply without complaint?

NiallB

anewman wrote: »

Why do people spend over £50 on a satnag but £20 or less doesn't feature for something that could save their license.

'Satnag' perfectly sums up my feelings about Tomtoms :-)

Paradigm

daveyjp wrote: »

Use it when the engine is running and you get a fine - easy to understand, no grey areas, no problem with me.

But it's obviously not clear is it? The law on mobile phones was intended to prevent people using a mobile while DRIVING... I.E. the cars wheels are actually turning, it is in motion! This is what the majority of drivers assume to be correct.

If the car is stopped (safely) at the side of the road then, engine running or not, there is no danger to anyone so what are you being prosecuted for?

Yes it's law & yes the OP has commited an offence as things stand but that doesn't mean the law as it is now isn't the biggest pile of badly worded, airey fairey dog poo the motorist has to contend with!

Basically it's a joke & the OP should be rightly annoyed!

droodle

When i got 3points £60 fine for parking fractionally on the zig-zag lines at a pedestrian crossing! i had to go to the local council office where the offense took place (40miles away) and pay my fine and they hand wrote my points onto the counterpart of my license. The points didnt put up my insurance, the guy i rang to notify said that it was a minor offense and they only tend to put prices up if its over 6points. Im with Bell which is part of Admiral insurance.
I do feel the police over criminalize drivers, could you imagine being stopped jogging down the road and having youre trainers sole examined and youre ar5e for emissions? there would be a public outcry!.............. And its funny how buses never get stopped even when theres clouds of black smoke coming out, brake lights out, bald tyres and screeching brakes because there down to the metal!

daveyjp

"The law on mobile phones was intended to prevent people using a mobile while DRIVING... I.E. the cars wheels are actually turning, it is in motion!"

You'll be pleased to know the law does exactly that, but to appreciate this you need to understand what "driving" actually is.

“The Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No 4) Regulations 2003” defines a person as “driving” even if the vehicle is stationary but the engine is running.

"If the car is stopped (safely) at the side of the road then, engine running or not, there is no danger to anyone so what are you being prosecuted for?"

If the engine is running using a mobile phone whilst driving - see above.