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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:37 am Post subject: New Mobile Phone Penalties Affect SatNav Use Too |
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Penalties for drivers caught using a mobile phone increased on March 1st with a fine of £200 and six penalty points.
But many are confused about when and where they can use their phone legally and few realise that these penalties also affect using your smartphone as a satnav too.
It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone whilst you are driving. This also applies to internet connected devices such as tablets and media players. The 'whilst driving' part means anytime you are not parked so using whilst stuck in traffic, at a red light etc is also prohibited.
If you are using your phone in satnav mode then you should have it in a fixed holder and may not interact with it at all. So no tapping menus, switching modes etc. Dedicated satnav devices are not included in this legislation but if you're distracted whilst using one then existing careless or dangerous driving legislation can be used.
_________________ Darren Griffin |
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Davidwf Regular Visitor
Joined: Oct 26, 2005 Posts: 70 Location: Suffolk
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:12 am Post subject: |
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so, are you allowed to tap the screen to answer it handsfree using the in-built loudspeaker ?.... surely no different from, say, switching radio stations or operating other switches in the car |
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jonchill Occasional Visitor
Joined: Aug 04, 2007 Posts: 3
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:15 am Post subject: |
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I read somewhere that the only place you could legally use a phone was parked up at the side of the road with the engine turned off, not in traffic or at lights etc, so all those people that just stop anywhere to answer a call are breaking the law. |
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nekillim Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jan 30, 2014 Posts: 4
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:20 am Post subject: Mobile Phone Use |
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I am waiting for the first pictures of MPs, and Police using them whilst driving!!! |
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Kritou Lifetime Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2004 Posts: 263 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:26 am Post subject: |
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Can someone quote the section of this new legislation that specifically excludes "interacting" with the device (phone) when it is being used as a satnav and is in a holder? |
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sussamb Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Mar 18, 2011 Posts: 4462 Location: West Sussex
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:36 am Post subject: |
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I doubt it because that, despite the reports, is legal. The legislation is about the use of hand held phones, by definition one in a holder is not 'hand held'. _________________ Where there's a will ... there's a way. |
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Kritou Lifetime Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2004 Posts: 263 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:42 am Post subject: |
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OK - so Darren's report above "If you are using your phone in satnav mode then you should have it in a fixed holder and may not interact with it at all" is misleading? |
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TieJustice Lifetime Member
Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 66
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:44 am Post subject: Why is it so hard to understanding people |
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It's quite simple,
you may not use ANY electronic device when in control of a vehicle (driver) ( mobile phone, satnav tablets, ( if it has a screen and you have to touch it, to interact with it, this includes built into the car, and even hands free can be used against you if you are found using it in a RTA)
In control of a vehicle, any time you are not parked ( in a safe legal and convenient place)
So waiting in traffic including traffice lights is in control of a vehicle.
So as in the new driving test, includes satnav, they stop in a safe, legal, conveneant place, then set the satnav for the independent driving. |
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Davidwf Regular Visitor
Joined: Oct 26, 2005 Posts: 70 Location: Suffolk
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:52 am Post subject: |
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surely no different to changing radio stations or switching something on / off ???? |
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Kritou Lifetime Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2004 Posts: 263 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:57 am Post subject: |
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I don't want to be pedantic but if a Satnav has touchscreen zoom buttons I cannot use them when driving - but the mechanical ones on my Garmin Quest are OK? |
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MrGumby Regular Visitor
Joined: Jan 21, 2006 Posts: 114 Location: West Sussex
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:08 am Post subject: |
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jonchill wrote: | I read somewhere that the only place you could legally use a phone was parked up at the side of the road with the engine turned off, not in traffic or at lights etc, so all those people that just stop anywhere to answer a call are breaking the law. |
AND with the key out of the ignition, I believe. How that affects drivers of cars without physical keys, I have no idea.
PS Why do people say "parked up" instead of just "parked"? I'm not criticising, just fascinated to now where on earth the expression came from - it's quite recent. |
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sussamb Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Mar 18, 2011 Posts: 4462 Location: West Sussex
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Why is it so hard to understanding people |
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TieJustice wrote: | It's quite simple,
you may not use ANY electronic device when in control of a vehicle (driver) ( mobile phone, satnav tablets, ( if it has a screen and you have to touch it, to interact with it, this includes built into the car, and even hands free can be used against you if you are found using it in a RTA)
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Really? Where did you get that information from? It's not in any law I know?
The only possibility is if you're deemed to be not in full control. It's perfectly legal to touch satnavs etc, although advice is to avoid doing so. _________________ Where there's a will ... there's a way. |
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sussamb Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Mar 18, 2011 Posts: 4462 Location: West Sussex
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:10 am Post subject: |
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Kritou wrote: | I don't want to be pedantic but if a Satnav has touchscreen zoom buttons I cannot use them when driving - but the mechanical ones on my Garmin Quest are OK? |
Yes, because sat navs are not in the legislation
The Regulation includes any "device, other than a two-way radio, which performs an interactive communication function by transmitting and receiving data".
It states that a "mobile telephone or other device is to be treated as hand-held if it is, or must be, held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function". "interactive communication function" includes:
sending or receiving oral or written messages;
sending or receiving facsimile documents;
sending or receiving still or moving images; and
providing access to the internet
There are two exemptions:
2-way "press to talk" radios, such as used by the emergency services and taxi drivers
Using a hand-held phone for a genuine emergency call to 999 or 112 if it would be unsafe for the driver to stop.
Note sat navs are excluded as they do not transmit data. _________________ Where there's a will ... there's a way.
Last edited by sussamb on Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Kremmen Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 7122 Location: Reading
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Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:16 am Post subject: |
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Very confusing.
No doubt we will hear more as fines and court appearences are published. _________________ DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3 |
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MrGumby Regular Visitor
Joined: Jan 21, 2006 Posts: 114 Location: West Sussex
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