The risks related to utilizing a cell phone whereas driving are effectively documented however, nonetheless, it is an issue that continues to pervade the roads.
Regardless of cell phone legal guidelines changing into stricter, new analysis from the Division of Transport means that as many as 445,000 persons are utilizing their gadgets whereas driving,
Equally, automotive insurance coverage firm RAC not too long ago reported that one in 5 motorists say they verify social media in site visitors, whereas six per cent admit to utilizing their hand-held cellphone “most or all the time” whereas driving.
In November 2018, footballer David Beckham plead responsible to utilizing a cell phone whereas driving his automotive in London’s West Finish after being noticed by a member of the general public.
On Thursday, the 43-year-old was given a six-month driving ban for utilizing his cellphone behind the wheel. He additionally obtained six factors on his license, was fined £750, ordered to pay £100 to prosecution prices, and a £75 surcharge payment inside seven days.
This is all the things it’s essential find out about utilizing your cellphone in a automotive, from what’s and isn’t unlawful to how one can report offenders.
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Can you utilize hands-free whereas driving?
The federal government states that it’s unlawful to carry a cell phone or sat-nav whereas driving or using a bike.
Nonetheless, you’re allowed to make use of a cellphone if it’s absolutely hands-free. This implies you will need to have entry to the next:
- a Bluetooth headset
- voice command
- a dashboard holder
- a windscreen mount
- built-in sat-nav
Any hands-free machine ought to be absolutely arrange earlier than you drive, so you possibly can take calls with out dealing with the machine.
The police nonetheless have the facility to cease you in the event that they consider you have got been distracted by utilizing a cell phone whereas driving, even when it’s absolutely hands-free.
Can you utilize sat-nav in your cell phone whereas driving?
The regulation particularly states that it’s unlawful to make use of a hand-held cell to observe a map.
Should you want to use your cellphone to navigate, the federal government says you will need to be certain that it’s mounted to the windscreen or dashboard, is in clear view to be used whereas driving – however not obstructing your view – and doesn’t require you to carry or work together with it.
How does utilizing a cell phone have an effect on driving efficiency?
In line with the federal government highway security marketing campaign Suppose!, drivers who use a cell phone, whether or not handheld or hands-free:
- are a lot much less conscious of what’s occurring on the highway round them
- overlook highway indicators
- fail to keep up correct lane place and regular pace
- usually tend to ‘tailgate’ the automobile in entrance
- react extra slowly and take longer to brake
- usually tend to enter unsafe gaps in site visitors.
Can you utilize a cell phone if the automotive is just not transferring?
The federal government states that it’s only authorized to make use of a hand-held machine behind the wheel is you’re safely parked or have to name 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to cease.
This doesn’t embody ready in site visitors or when sat at site visitors lights.
What are the penalties for utilizing your cellphone whereas driving?
Cell phone driving legal guidelines had been first enacted in December 2003, and since 2007 the penalty has stood at three factors in your licence and a advantageous of £100.
Nonetheless, from 1 March 2017, the penalty doubled, which means that being caught utilizing a cell phone whereas driving now carries a penalty of six factors and a £200 advantageous.
If caught, additionally, you will lose your licence in case you handed your driving check within the final two years. It’s because drivers are solely allowed to have six penalty factors of their first two years of driving.
How can I cease utilizing my cellphone whereas driving?
The RAC says that the best strategy to not be distracted by utilizing your cell phone within the automotive is to change it off.
It recommends treating your automotive like an plane and placing your cellphone into flight mode earlier than driving.
Should you do should be out there, be certain that your cellphone is paired as much as Bluetooth, so you possibly can nonetheless take calls.
How can I report offenders?
Members of the general public can report offenders anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
You will discover extra details about driving legal guidelines within the UK right here.
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