On the phone whilst driving

[northwest]

Although I appear to have a bit of a cavalier attitude to life and it's rules I really try to keep on the right side of the law. I have been a bit surprised at the number of people who have been prosecuted for driving and using their phones. It appears to me that even using your phone as a navigation aid is fraught with danger, yet you can hold a video call in some cars with impunity. Does anyone know of an "idiots guide to mobile phones in the car" law? Or elucidate the current situation with some authority?

 

[Keith 66]

Dont use it, simples. Bloke locally was killed a couple of years ago, just minding his business driving along & got wiped out by a truck, driver was texting at the time.
I see idiots on their phones while driving every single day. One day we might get suitable penalties like a life driving ban & crush the car. Until then people will still take the chance.

 

[Kayos]

Mine goes in the centre console and isn't touched until I'm parked up

The nav thing has a lot of discretion, I don't do that anymore but I used to

 

[lazybones51]

Had a Dacia Sandero as a courtesy car recently, and noticed it has no screen for the infotainment. Instead you have to use your phone and their software to control the cars hardware.

Lift this flap and insert your phone.

The New Dacia Sandero: the screen comes out of your pocket

Your smartphone goes everywhere with you. What if it replaced the multimedia screen in your car? This is what the Media Control system available on the New Dacia Sandero offers.

www.renaultgroup.com

How does that work from a "not using your phone whilst driving" legal standpoint, if you have to use it to control basic functions like the radio?

 

[brightspark]

pratting on with a satnav using a phone or even changing the radio stations is bad news and causes accidents i used to do it and it is noticeable to myself when you clip the curb or go over the center line its not safe. stiff penaltys are needed not just a few points and a fine thats a joke and people just scoff at . ban them from the road and they wont be laughing. generaly they are the folk who dont wear seat belts neither

 

[Cobbler]

My next door neighbour’s Skoda requires a smart phone, half the stuff won’t work without it apparently. What happens if you don’t have one, just an old style ‘clockwork’ phone. In my opinion the whole touch screen set up is inherently dangerous & should be stopped. Frightening if you travel with someone that’s constantly looking at it & fiddling.

 

[fizzy]

Many vehicles now have touch screens. Try stabbing at a button when you are driving and hitting potholes or bumps - not easy! And these days many basic functions like heating and demist etc are controlled on screen. Definitely just as dangerous as using a mobile phone.

 

[fizzy]

My next door neighbour’s Skoda requires a smart phone, half the stuff won’t work without it apparently. What happens if you don’t have one, just an old style ‘clockwork’ phone. In my opinion the whole touch screen set up is inherently dangerous & should be stopped. Frightening if you travel with someone that’s constantly looking at it & fiddling.

Beat me to it - great minds think alike

 

[mtt.tr]

Touching your phone is an instant fine and points.

 

[Kayos]

My next door neighbour’s Skoda requires a smart phone, half the stuff won’t work without it apparently. What happens if you don’t have one, just an old style ‘clockwork’ phone. In my opinion the whole touch screen set up is inherently dangerous & should be stopped. Frightening if you travel with someone that’s constantly looking at it & fiddling.

The only thing that won't work is stuff that is optional, like using the phones navigation. The normal car functions, including built in nav will work fine

 

[Hotstuff]

Here’s the letter of the law: Linky

 

[fizzy]

Here’s the letter of the law: Linky

Most modern cars send and receive data!
But I see you can use them if on a mount - so in theory as long as you don't HOLD a phone you can still send texts as long as it is mounted properly

 

[Shox Dr]

Simple.
Don't touch it.
Put it in the glovebox if you have to.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

There's a tube guy who cycles around catching drivers on their phones...submits the vids to plod. Most of the drivers seem to get fined plus 6 points!

Just not worth doing...I believe hands free is allowed but I don't risk it.

 

[fizzy]

Touching your phone is an instant fine and points.

Not if its in a cradle!

 

[nickk]

We don’t have too much hi tech,the newer replacement vw sharan is 09,the old one 54,in that short time,all the heating controls and radio is impossible to operate without taking your eyes off the road.
Tis infuriating that all the modern good stuff like abs and airbags sits alongside this cheap crappy push button controls.

 

[Mark 2]

There's a tube guy who cycles around catching drivers on their phones...submits the vids to plod. Most of the drivers seem to get fined plus 6 points!

Just not worth doing...I believe hands free is allowed but I don't risk it.

Cycling Mikey.

 

[Blobber]

Cycling Mikey.

Wonder how long it will be before he gets a slap?

 

[bump]

Phone is sometimes used as a sat nav, It's in a holder attached to the windscreen and is set up at the start of the journey and left until the end.

I do have a hands free kit, since it complies with German law it is all voice activated.

I'm not a fan of this trend by the man who gives us a crapper version of everything we already have whilst sucking up massive government subsidies, of putting touch screens in cars. Using tactile switches and rotary encoders means I can change the air con to demist without taking my eyes off the road.

I still fully expect to be killed by one of these wallys using "full self driving" that can't differentiated between a car in the distance and a motorcycle.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Wonder how long it will be before he gets a slap?

People seem to be quite civil...I was surprised as I expected things would kick off.

Reading his back story I can see why he does it.