Driving on the phone

[burnouts]

yesterday i was driving my beaver tail recovery truck up a steep hill when a woman in a mercedes jeep panicked when trying to pass me and hit her wing mirror on the side of my truck. when i stopped and picked up the mirror casing and put it on for her she started screaming at me even though she was speeding and on the phone at the time. There was plenty of room for her to pass me but obviously she doesnt know the width of her vehicle and panicked and swerved into me. the only damage on both vehicles was her wingmirror cover had a small crack in it but when i refitted it back on it wasnt noticable. she then (after swearing at me for 5 mins and claiming i was speeding...in a 2.5 diesel transit going up a steep hill with a car on the back....um....no!) got into her vehicle got back on her phone and drove off. then last night her husband came down my house threatning to kick the windows out of my truck even though it was not my fault and she was on the phone. are accidents like this knock for knock in the lanes and also is there any websites where i can read up the laws of driving whilst on the phone?

[burnouts]

should read *was* unnoticeable

[johnny37]

Dont know that you need to read up on it. It's definitely illegal. So is the threatening behaviour of her husband. Try to have a witness available if he comes round again.

[sausagechips]

just go to the police!

[kempie]

The Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended) does not make specific reference to the use of a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving. However, if such a device is used (except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop) current CPS practice is to prosecute under the most appropriate of either Section 2 (Dangerous driving) or Section 3 (Careless, and inconsiderate, driving) of the RTA 1988.

[Electrochem]

People who use hand held mobiles whilst driving need to know that they will be prosecuted.

Report her to the Police, and as suggested her husband.

In my view, anyone who is caught on the 'phone by the Police, should have their 'phone confiscated.

I would even go so far as saying that if they damaged their own vehicle whilst on the 'phone, they should not be paid anything by their insurance company.

They have no consideration for the safety of others. Roadside Cameras could be used to catch these morons, and whilst I don't agree with speeding, I catching these fools must become a priority for the Police. Build the technology into Speed Cameras!

[kempie]

doh!...

Mobile phones aren't directly referenced in the RTA 1988 because the relevant regulation which defines the offence is stipulated within the 2003 amendment to The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?Acti veTextDocId=862536