New Mobile Phone Penalties Affect SatNav Use Too

Darren

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.

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Darren Griffin

Davidwf · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:12 am Post subject:

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

jonchill · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 04, 2007 Posts: 3

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.

nekillim · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 30, 2014 Posts: 4

I am waiting for the first pictures of MPs, and Police using them whilst driving!!!

Kritou · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:26 am Post subject:

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?

sussamb · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:36 am Post subject:

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'.
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Kritou · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:42 am Post subject:

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?

TieJustice · Lifetime Member Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 66

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.

Davidwf · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:52 am Post subject:

surely no different to changing radio stations or switching something on / off ????

Kritou · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:57 am Post subject:

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?

MrGumby · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:08 am Post subject:

sussamb

sussamb · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:10 am Post subject:

Kremmen · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:16 am Post subject:

Very confusing.

No doubt we will hear more as fines and court appearences are published.
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MrGumby · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:16 am Post subject: Re: Mobile Phone Use

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