mobile phones while driving

[kendunlop]

I have checked into the new legislation and it states that using a mobile phone while driving will be illegal from Dec 1st. It defines a mobile phone as one which is hand held. Mine is in a cradle with an earpiece and microphone but all the phone shops say this is also illegal. The law states that it should not be hand held at any time during the making or receiving of a call so I think mine is OK since I dont need to hold it at all. Anyone care to convince me or contradict me since I don't want any more penalty points

[sddsddean]

This weeks edition of 'Commercial Motor' says that the phone must be totally hands free, apart from touching a key to recieve the call. Presumably this means that nothing must touch you, such as a headset. The other 2 exceptions to the law are: 1) Dialling a genuine 999 call when it is unsafe for the caller to stop their vehicle, and 2) the use of handheld microphones with a positive on/off switch. So my CB mike is OK, but how ludicrous is that?!(The law, not my CB mike!)

[sft42]

This new legislation is re3ally not needed as you can be stopped if your using a mobile right now for driving without due care....all the new stuff does is create loopholes...you can actually press the answer call button but then not say anything! Anyways as long as your mobiles set up is hands free throughout the whole call then it's legal to use as long as it's use isn't distracting your driving.

Good Luck

[brawburd]

What about the thing you can get to link your phone to the car stereo, so that you don't need an earpiece either?

[Harley]

This is the ROSPA website and is quite clear about the new rules.We have sent instuctions to all the staff that they should switch off their mobiles while driving and retrieve messages when it is safe. http://www.rospa.com/road/pdfs/mobiles/new_law2003
.pdf