busybeeburns Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 In three weeks a new law will come into force banning drivers from using mobile phones while at the wheel. Only it's not quite as straightforward as that... Traffic police are going to have their work cut out come 1 December, when new laws come into effect clamping down on drivers using mobile phones. A quarter of drivers who know about the law will ignore it, according to research by a mobile headset manufacturer, Jabra. The same survey found 40% of motorists were unaware of the new legislation, which is designed to promote safety on the road. On top of that, among those that are aware, there is widespread confusion about what exactly is outlawed. Initially, the government had sought a blanket ban on all drivers using mobiles. Then it seemed to opt for an exception that would allow factory-fitted hands-free sets. The final legislation is more relaxed, but that has led to claims it is too confusing. So here, we answer 10 questions about what you will and will not be allowed to do while driving. New law will allow police to stop driver using a mobile, no matter how careful they are Breaking the rules means a £30 on-the-spot fine or up to £1,000 in court. Can I use my ordinary mobile handset? "Hand-held" is the watchword in the new regulations. If you need to hold your mobile handset then you will be in breach of the new law and liable for a £30 on the spot fine. What about hands-free kit? Using hands-free equipment will not be an exception, if you still have to hold the mobile handset to dial a number or even just to press the "receive call" button when someone is ringing you. So I have to get a factory fitted mobile? No, a cradle that holds your mobile and is fixed to the dashboard will do the job. You will need a hands-free kit to continue the conversation, such as an earpiece and microphone or a Bluetooth headset. Interactive PDAs and navigation aids will also need cradles. Using a hands-free device with voice dialing and auto-answering would also be appropriate. What if I cradle the phone on my shoulder? Propping a mobile between your shoulder and chin will not be tolerated since you will still seen as holding the phone, albeit not with your hands. What about texting? Texting is also out, although it seems tapping out a text would be allowed if the phone remained fixed in a cradle. But this is likely to fall foul of the existing rules that you must drive with due care and attention. So do I have to switch my phone off? No. Phones can be left on in a car, but, unless you have hands-free kit, if you are driving when it rings you must ignore it or pull in and park safely before answering it. What if I'm waiting at traffic lights? You are still considered to be driving. The same goes for if you are stuck in a traffic jam. In really bad snarl ups, however, you would clearly not thought to be driving if your engine was turned off. What about an emergency call? There is an exemption for 999/112 calls to the emergency services where it is unsafe or impractical to stop. I've got to use a phone for my job Not good enough. You will still be liable for a penalty. If your boss has insisted you take calls while driving he or she could also be breaking the law. Breaker, breaker... what about CB radio? Curiously perhaps, two-way radio is not covered by the law, so it's not an offence to have a conversation while driving, using a hand-held CB radio microphone. Two-way radios that double up as mobiles will not be allowed, though. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kettercat Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 :o This sucks. Thank God I don't live in the UK :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musiclover Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 umm...more regulations...more bureaucracy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
';' Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 that's good. in my opinion. but i don't live over there :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busybeeburns Posted November 12, 2003 Author Share Posted November 12, 2003 and what's more, they're subsidising ID cards in the future by increasing the priice of a combined passport and driving license to 77 QUID within 10 years :lol: :o I mean why don't I just take up drugs and fly to work, it would be cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
';' Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 priice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busybeeburns Posted November 12, 2003 Author Share Posted November 12, 2003 yeah i was shocked at the time :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noni Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 These laws exist in Spain since a few months ago, but people ignore them... :/ Last week I saw a girl driving a motorbyke, without wearing a helmet and sending an sms!! :o :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blangy Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 there are not those laws here but i think they're good :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUY IS A SLUT Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 These laws exist in Spain since a few months ago, but people ignore them... :/ Last week I saw a girl driving a motorbyke, without wearing a helmet and sending an sms!! :o :o oh dear that's so dangerous! :stunned: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noni Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 Sure!! Sometimes I think some people get their driving license in a special offer in the supermarket, just buying two pots of baked beans... :angry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victoria Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 Funny, it's not drivers on mobiles that annoy me - it's aggressive, pushy drivers that come up behind me and virtually climb on the boot, and then pull out without indicating, whizz past at breakneck speed and then cut in too damn close ..... and that can be on ANY road, in ANY conditions, at ANY time of the day or night. Grrrrr, they make me so MAD! At least when someone's involved in a conversation on a mobile they probably can't drive like THAT at the same time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weedy_gonzalez Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 well it`s great britain, a whole new continent. that explains everything right? :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
::Hayley:: Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 I mean why don't I just take up drugs and fly to work' date=' it would be cheaper[/quote'] :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musiclover Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 well it`s great britain, a whole new continent. more like a small island...dunno who named it 'great' :P no other country calls itself 'great'...like Great United States! :lol: but you're right about them UKites being different...and that explaining it all! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlissfullyMuse Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 iv seen loads of people on the mobile phones :rolleyes: ...it won`t stop people :dozey: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 Nobody cares about laws as there are to many of them. I seen people using mobile phones while driving on the motorway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JekuRot Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 I just got rear-ended yesterday before work by a lady on a cell phone. When we pulled over, she said "I'm so sorry, I just wasn't paying attention". Pfft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUY IS A SLUT Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I just got rear-ended yesterday before work by a lady on a cell phone. When we pulled over' date=' she said "I'm so sorry, I just wasn't paying attention". Pfft.[/quote'] IT'S ALWAYS THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK THAT GET INTO ACCIDENTS AND NEVER GET DAMAGE AND THE INNOCENT ARE DAMAGED. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LiquidSky Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 These laws exist in Spain since a few months ago, but people ignore them... :/ Last week I saw a girl driving a motorbyke, without wearing a helmet and sending an sms!! :o :o oh dear that's so dangerous! :stunned: It is it is.. :stunned: :stunned: :stunned: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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