Using Mobile Phone Whilst Driving

KamTash1

Hi all,

Do the police send out a NIP for using a mobile phone while driving? (I know they do for for speeding, running traffic lights etc offences, but the mobile phone seems to be a bit of a grey area?

If someone is caught, what is the longest time before NIP would arrive in the post?

Do different areas operate differently?
I'm more interested in the following areas but any advice would be really appreciated?

- West Midlands
- East Midlands
- Liverpool
- London
- Manchester

Any advice?

Thanks

K.Tash

DUTR

KamTash1 wrote: »

Hi all,

Do the police send out a NIP for using a mobile phone while driving? (I know they do for for speeding, running traffic lights etc offences, but the mobile phone seems to be a bit of a grey area?

If someone is caught, what is the longest time before NIP would arrive in the post?

Do different areas operate differently?
I'm more interested in the following areas but any advice would be really appreciated?

- West Midlands
- East Midlands
- Liverpool
- London
- Manchester

Any advice?

Thanks

K.Tash

I don't know but common sense tells you that the price of a BT car kit is cheaper than a fine and points, so the driver keeps the convenience yet not the risk, fine and points.
It's a no brainer.

Car_54

AIUI there is no requirement for a NIP to be served for Construction and Use offences, of which this is one.


They would need to send a s172 request to the registered keeper in order to identify the driver, but this is not subject to any time limit, except that court proceedings need to be started within six months of the alleged offence.

AdrianC

If you were spotted on camera, then the same rules apply as to a speeding or traffic light photo - 14 days for the NIP to be sent to the registered keeper.


However, I'd have thought it more likely you'd be stopped there and then, and given the NIP roadside - in which case, there's six months for prosecution to begin.

AndyMc.....

AdrianC wrote: »

If you were spotted on camera, then the same rules apply as to a speeding or traffic light photo - 14 days for the NIP to be sent to the registered keeper.


However, I'd have thought it more likely you'd be stopped there and then, and given the NIP roadside - in which case, there's six months for prosecution to begin.

No they don't, no need to issue a NIP for phones.

building_with_lego

Or just leave your phone in the boot while you're driving?

Hands-free or hand-held, you are negatively impacting on your driving performance. Link.

"The impact of using a hands free phone on driving performance was not found to differ from the impact of using a hand held phones".

This is a small study, yes, but I've read of others which have found that your reaction times are actually faster if you are up to twice the drink-drive limit for alcohol. How urgent is that call, exactly? And why is, "Sorry I didn't answer; I was driving" unacceptable to some people?

Aylesbury_Duck

building_with_lego wrote: »

Or just leave your phone in the boot while you're driving?

Hands-free or hand-held, you are negatively impacting on your driving performance. Link.

"The impact of using a hands free phone on driving performance was not found to differ from the impact of using a hand held phones".

This is a small study, yes, but I've read of others which have found that your reaction times are actually faster if you are up to twice the drink-drive limit for alcohol. How urgent is that call, exactly? And why is, "Sorry I didn't answer; I was driving" unacceptable to some people?

Spot on. Many years ago I used a hands-free kit and I found it distracting to hold a conversation whilst driving, something I have no problem with if I'm having the same conversation with a passenger. I ditched it and now my phone is switched to silent when I'm driving because even the sound of texts and calls is a distraction. Im sure there are some for whom it isn't a problem but I also bet I'm not alone.

Mercdriver

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

Spot on. Many years ago I used a hands-free kit and I found it distracting to hold a conversation whilst driving, something I have no problem with if I'm having the same conversation with a passenger. I ditched it and now my phone is switched to silent when I'm driving because even the sound of texts and calls is a distraction. Im sure there are some for whom it isn't a problem but I also bet I'm not alone.

You aren't. I was driving into central London and got caught in traffic earlier and missed an appointment. Yes, I could quite legally have called the person I was meeting, but I felt that I needed to have 100% attention on the road especially with cyclists regularly around me. I won't initiate a call from the driver's seat unless I am pulled in and the ignition is off.

Retrogamer

building_with_lego wrote: »

Or just leave your phone in the boot while you're driving?

Hands-free or hand-held, you are negatively impacting on your driving performance. Link.

"The impact of using a hands free phone on driving performance was not found to differ from the impact of using a hand held phones".

This is a small study, yes, but I've read of others which have found that your reaction times are actually faster if you are up to twice the drink-drive limit for alcohol. How urgent is that call, exactly? And why is, "Sorry I didn't answer; I was driving" unacceptable to some people?

By that logic you shouldn't speak to anyone when driving in case you become distracted.
I can't see much difference in risk between speaking to a hands free kit in the car, or speaking to a passenger.

Mercdriver

Retrogamer wrote: »

By that logic you shouldn't speak to anyone when driving in case you become distracted.
I can't see much difference in risk between speaking to a hands free kit in the car, or speaking to a passenger.

A passenger is there in the car and can potentially see when you need to focus solely on what is front of you. Someone on the end of a phone doesn't have that potential to see what is happening around you. Quite a big difference.

NBLondon

Mercdriver wrote: »

A passenger is there in the car and can potentially see when you need to focus solely on what is front of you. Someone on the end of a phone doesn't have that potential to see what is happening around you. Quite a big difference.

An alert passenger can realise when it's time to shut up until you've cleared the junction or stop talking if you say "hold on". If you've started the call with "I'm driving" then a reasonable person on the other end will accept that you might have to say "hold on" and concentrate on the road for a bit. But you can never guarantee that.... especially with business calls.