Legal to drive with mobile phone on handsfree?

QUESTION: Is it legal to drive a car while using a mobile phone if the
handset is held in a cradle on the dashboard and I am using a handsfree?

-----

Am assuming no voice-activated calls: I would have to press the buttons
on the handset to make a call.

I remember a law was passed a few years ago about not driving while
holding a mobile. And then ISTR it was amended and I beleive it is
being changed again at the end of Feb.

-----

In case there's any confusion on account of PHF, Bluetooth, car kits,
etc .... by "handsfree" I mean a wire from the phone to an earpiece and
which looks something like this: http://tinyurl.com/3x57k5

---

› See More: Legal to drive with mobile phone on handsfree?

"Jonno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> QUESTION: Is it legal to drive a car while using a mobile phone if the
> handset is held in a cradle on the dashboard and I am using a handsfree?
>
> -----
>
> Am assuming no voice-activated calls: I would have to press the buttons
> on the handset to make a call.
>
> I remember a law was passed a few years ago about not driving while
> holding a mobile. And then ISTR it was amended and I beleive it is
> being changed again at the end of Feb.
>
> -----
>
> In case there's any confusion on account of PHF, Bluetooth, car kits,
> etc .... by "handsfree" I mean a wire from the phone to an earpiece and
> which looks something like this: http://tinyurl.com/3x57k5
>

Why wouldn't it be - it's no different to speaking to people in the car!
Operating the buttons on the phone meaning you have to take your eyes off
the road - as you do for tuning some radios or selecting a cd track - might
not be acceptable. Most people I know can use a radio or phone and drive.
It's only the daft woman type that can't do too many things at once and use
it as an excuse - people like that can't drive anyway.

"Jonno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> QUESTION: Is it legal to drive a car while using a mobile phone if the
> handset is held in a cradle on the dashboard and I am using a handsfree?
>
> -----
>
> Am assuming no voice-activated calls: I would have to press the buttons
> on the handset to make a call.

My old phone would automaticaly answer calls with a headset plugged in.
This would be OK under the new law. But it would not originate without
pressing at least one button (to initiate the voice ativated dial), so
didn't quite. I rarely want to do this and then usually because of being
stuck in traffic.

My new car has a phone wired in so I just press a button on the streering
wheel to answer and similarly can initiate calls without taking my hands off
the wheel.

>
> I remember a law was passed a few years ago about not driving while
> holding a mobile. And then ISTR it was amended and I beleive it is
> being changed again at the end of Feb.

It is only the penalty that changes (3 points as well).

>

Of course the plods are allowed to use two way radios in the car (where you
have to push to talk each time) even when it is not an emergency, so it is
literally one rule for them and another for the rest of us.

The average TC will not like being reminded about [t]his hypocracy, and may
decide to ticket you for something else as well if you do.

On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:06:34 GMT, Jonno <[email protected]> wrote:

>QUESTION: Is it legal to drive a car while using a mobile phone if the
>handset is held in a cradle on the dashboard and I am using a handsfree?

Yes
--
Cheers

Peter

Please remove the invalid to reply

Jonno wrote:
> QUESTION: Is it legal to drive a car while using a mobile phone if the
> handset is held in a cradle on the dashboard and I am using a handsfree?
>
> -----
>
> Am assuming no voice-activated calls: I would have to press the buttons
> on the handset to make a call.

Pressing buttons is fine, as long as the phone is not being held (by a
person, held in a cradle is legal).

"Pete Fotheringham" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>It should be remembered that the police now routinely obtain
>phone records of drivers involved in serious or fatal accidents.

How would they do that?
They would need to know the number of the phone and if there is no phone in
the car they can't look it up.

Mind you, the police can practically take your licence off you for one minor
stop.

For example, if I got stopped for speeding today I could get three points
for speeding and three points for each illegal number plate (not displaying
the manufacturers post code) which is a total of nine points. I also have a
faulty rear number plate lamp (its a wiring fault not the bulb). I don't
know if thats worth another three points but you can see my point....

"Jon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] declared for all the world to hear...
>> QUESTION: Is it legal to drive a car while using a mobile phone if the
>> handset is held in a cradle on the dashboard and I am using a handsfree?
>
> Yes. And no touching the device to initiate a call.
>
>> Am assuming no voice-activated calls: I would have to press the buttons
>> on the handset to make a call.
>
> You'd be very hard done by to get caught doing that.
>
>> I remember a law was passed a few years ago about not driving while
>> holding a mobile. And then ISTR it was amended and I beleive it is
>> being changed again at the end of Feb.
>
> To introduce stiffer penalties.
>
>> In case there's any confusion on account of PHF, Bluetooth, car kits,
>> etc .... by "handsfree" I mean a wire from the phone to an earpiece and
>> which looks something like this: http://tinyurl.com/3x57k5
>
> My understanding is that as long as the phone is securely mounted and
> you dont have to touch it, you're OK.
> --
> Regards
> Jon

I think you have to hold the phone (see s.26), so if you have it in a cradle
and press buttons that should be OK.

Gordon Hudson wrote:
>
> For example, if I got stopped for speeding today I could get three points
> for speeding and three points for each illegal number plate (not displaying
> the manufacturers post code) which is a total of nine points.

The (English or Welsh) manufacturer has to supply the plate with his
postcode on it, but I don't think you commit an offence by removing it.

"Gordon Hudson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Pete Fotheringham" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>It should be remembered that the police now routinely obtain
>>phone records of drivers involved in serious or fatal accidents.
>
> How would they do that?
> They would need to know the number of the phone and if there is no phone
> in the car they can't look it up.
>
> Mind you, the police can practically take your licence off you for one
> minor stop.
>
> For example, if I got stopped for speeding today I could get three points
> for speeding

six points or even a ban with a bit of exageration - IME for a following
stop they exagerate about half the time sometimes by 10mph or more.

> and three points for each illegal number plate (not displaying the
> manufacturers post code) which is a total of nine points.

I have a legal number plate purchased (on a car) before this requirement
came in, which has been cherished transfered twice. This does not have its
maker's post code.

> I also have a faulty rear number plate lamp (its a wiring fault not the
> bulb). I don't know if thats worth another three points but you can see my
> point....
>

But in general you are right. If you are rude or they don't like the look
of you* or for some reason think that you are not whiter than white* then
they will turn the car over until they find something (low tyre pressure,
loose seat, dirty number plate, emissions (just blip the throttle) etc.
etc.)


* in the Met' this is often the same thing - "sootys" get a hard time...

In article <[email protected]>,
Pete Fotheringham <[email protected]> wrote:

> ... the Act will impose tougher penalties on the use of mobile
> telephones whilst in control of a vehicle.


Later on you say "driving". WHat about if, say, you're in the driving
seat in a parked car in a car-park? Or parked at the edge of the road?
Does it matter if the engine is running?

What about in a car in a traffic queue, eg where there's an accident up
ahead and no-one is going anywhere?

What about if the car is parked and you're not in the driver's seat,
but you are still the person in charge of the vehicle? (As for example
people have, I think, been done for drunk in charge when eg asleep on a
back seat.)

What about if you get out of the car - you're still in charge of it?

--
Jeremy C B Nicoll, Edinburgh, Scotland - my opinions are my own.

On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:29:07 +0000, Nick Finnigan <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Gordon Hudson wrote:
>>
>> For example, if I got stopped for speeding today I could get three points
>> for speeding and three points for each illegal number plate (not displaying
>> the manufacturers post code) which is a total of nine points.
>
> The (English or Welsh) manufacturer has to supply the plate with his
>postcode on it, but I don't think you commit an offence by removing it.

Is that the Manfr of the blank or the shop that puts the letters on .
Is it only in E+W ?

"R. Mark Clayton" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Gordon Hudson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "Pete Fotheringham" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
<snip>
>> and three points for each illegal number plate (not displaying the
>> manufacturers post code) which is a total of nine points.
>
> I have a legal number plate purchased (on a car) before this requirement
> came in, which has been cherished transfered twice. This does not have
> its maker's post code.
>
What year did that come in??

Steve Terry

"vulgarandmischevious" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Jonno wrote:
>
>>QUESTION: Is it legal to drive a car while using a mobile phone if the
>>handset is held in a cradle on the dashboard and I am using a handsfree?
>
> I've told this in Another Place, but while at home over Christmas, I got
> stopped when I was at home, for using a mobile phone while driving.
>
> <c+p>
> Copper: "I stopped you because it's illegal to use a phone while
> driving:
> Me: "Sorry, I forgot: it's not illegal where I live"
> Cooper: "Where do you live?"
> Me in white-lie mode: "Baghdad".
> Copper: "ok. well, it's very dangerous to use a mobile phone while
> driving..."
> Me: "Umm... don't talk to me about danger, mate, given where I live"
> </c+p>
>
> I don't really live there, I just visit from time to time.
>
You aint kidding
http://www.filecabi.net:80/video/hummer-time.html

Steve Terry

Stuart B wrote:
> On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:29:07 +0000, Nick Finnigan <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>Gordon Hudson wrote:
>>
>>>For example, if I got stopped for speeding today I could get three points
>>>for speeding and three points for each illegal number plate (not displaying
>>>the manufacturers post code) which is a total of nine points.
>>
>> The (English or Welsh) manufacturer has to supply the plate with his
>>postcode on it, but I don't think you commit an offence by removing it.
>
>
> Is that the Manfr of the blank or the shop that puts the letters on .
> Is it only in E+W ?

I couldn't find the regulations, and those details are largely beside
the point[s].It looks like it is being extended to Scotland and NI.

"andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]
> On Feb 21, 10:56 pm, "Tom Bradbury"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > Why wouldn't it be - it's no different to speaking to
> > > people in the car!
> >
>
> . If you're talking on a mobile phone, the person on the
> other
> > end of the line won't understand that you're about to
> > drive into the back of the car in front and will
> > continue yabbering on whilst the driver will continue
> > listening up to the point of either just hitting or
> > actually ramming into the back of the car in front (or
> > whatever obstacale there is in front of them).
>
> Actually, it isn't at all difficult to say - hang on, I'm
> just coming up to a roundabout, so I'm not really
> listening for a bit

I've used amateur radio with hand-held microphones for 25 years and I've
never had even a hint of a problem as a result. I do now actually have a
handsfree microphone on the radio now, but before I did I always used to
make it clear to the person I was talking to that I would drop the mike
without warning if I needed to do so urgently.

Ivor