Points for using phone

Iceweasel

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986425#Comment_81986425

Have you seen the new 20mph signs in Scotland?

It's a nightmare - too much guess work.

The system is flawed with missing signs in some areas and extra signs where they are pointless. Plus signs facing the wrong way so that in one direction the speed limit could be 30 or 40mph while the other side of the road going in the opposite direction is 20mph.

So for example if there is a zebra crossing, the traffic approaching from one side could be doing 20mph while traffic coming the other way could be approaching at 40mph - madness!

No logic appears to have been involved - so it's pretty much impossible to be 100% confident that you are aware of the limit on any suburban road / street.

Frozen_up_north

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986425#Comment_81986425

Incidentally, those speed camera van people also record mobile phone use, incorrectly spaced number plate characters and those not wearing seat belts.

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986450#Comment_81986450

Locals turning signs round 🤣

Gillwh

also beware of cyclists with go-pros or body cams - one tapped on my brother’s window when he was sat at a red light in Oxford looking at directions on his phone. Next thing he’s got 6 points & a £200 fine as the kind gentleman had passed on his camera footage to the police!

And yes, the police accept this way of catching motorists!

Mildly_Miffed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81990326#Comment_81990326

…and quite right, too.

Your brother is an idiot who was caught bang-to-rights.

Car_54

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81990326#Comment_81990326

Are you suggesting the police should ignore evidence of a crime being committed.?

highlander58

I totally agree with IOW.

I too refuse to speak to drivers using hands-free. Although still legal on paper, the police strongly advise against. Plenty of evidence now that it causes significant cognitive distraction - far more than the odd word to a passenger. And I’d feel awful if a driver had an accident while on the phone to me.

Nasqueron

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81990326#Comment_81990326

I think you meant to say "beware of breaking the law"?

You can't be caught illegally driving if you don't drive illegally. I wonder if he truly was looking at directions? Why not pull over, stop and then check?

Herzlos

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81990326#Comment_81990326

You mean beware of using your phone when stopped in traffic, because a cop might spot you or someone might record it.

Why wouldn't the police accept video evidence of a crime happening as a way to catch criminal activities?

TooManyPoints

The police may examine evidence from any source which leads them to suspect that a crime has been committed. They may, as a result, offer the alleged perpetrator (after they have found out who it is) a fixed penalty to dispose of the matter. But the alleged offender is perfectly free to decline or ignore that offer and instead see the mater heard in court, where the evidence can be tested.

All of which makes statements like this a little misleading:

….one tapped on my brother’s window when he was sat at a red light in Oxford looking at directions on his phone. Next thing he’s got 6 points & a £200 fine

That wasn’t the next thing by any means. First of all, brother had to identify himself as the driver at the relevant time. Then, after he received the offer of a fixed penalty from the police, he had to accept it. It would have been made clear to him when the offer was made that there was the alternative of having his case heard in court.

If he was using his phone whilst driving (which courts have consistently ruled, includes being in stationary traffic) he will almost certainly be convicted. Shortly after that, he will discover what a bargain the fixed penalty is.