Can we help you stay the right side of the law?

While it has been an offence to touch your mobile phone whilst in control of a vehicle or motorcycle since the 1st December 2003, a gradual increase in accidents caused by distracted drivers has led to the fines and penalties for this driving offence to be doubled. You have probably seen in the news this month that the fine for being caught touching your mobile phone whilst driving has increased from £100 to £200, and the penalty points that go with the fine increased from 3 to 6. Drivers being caught within two years of passing their test will have their license revoked. For more information please see the following link –

https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

Whilst some road users seem to have a flagrant disregard for this law as they continue to drive with their mobile phone held next to their ear, other users may not realise they are breaking these laws, and this is where I would like to help you. Here is a list of how you can use your handset safely and within the law.

• If you are using your mobile phone as a sat-nav it must be in a cradle. You must programme in your route and route preferences before you turn your engine on and start your journey. If at any point during your journey you need to make any amendments, you must pull your vehicle or motorcycle over at a safe place and turn off the engine before touching your phone.
• You are not allowed to touch your handset to make or receive phone calls whilst driving. If you do need to make or receive a call, then it must be done handsfree. You can either use a Bluetooth car kit, or a handset with voice commands.
• You are not allowed to touch your handset to read or compose any text messages or emails whilst driving. This should only be done when you are safely parked and you have turned the engine off.
• You are not allowed to touch your handset to read any notifications. This should only be done when you are safely parked and you have turned the engine off.
• You are not allowed to touch your handset to open any web pages or apps. This should only be done when you are safely parked and you have turned the engine off.

All of the above still applies if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. If your engine is on and you are in control of the vehicle you are not allowed to touch your mobile phone. If you are the qualified driver riding as a passenger with a learner the same rules apply also.

If you, or any of your colleagues or employees, drive as part of your job then one small lapse in concentration when it comes to using your phone on the go could result in fines and points on your license. This could then affect your ability to do your job if you lose your license, or if your workplace requires you to have a clean driving license. The Gov.UK “THINK!” campaign around this urges drivers to “Make the glove compartment the phone compartment.” You can see their webpage on the link below where you can download posters for your business notice boards –

http://think.direct.gov.uk/mobile-phones.html

The basic rule to remember is, no touching your phone while your engine is on.

The Sussex Police state “Nothing is so important on your phone that it can’t wait until you’ve got to your destination”.

The one and only exception to this is if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.

If you are interested in discussing handsfree Bluetooth car kits, handset cradles or holders, or voice command apps then please call us on 01273 424220 or click here.