Hands Free Driving in the UK

[GreenBoy2]

Ok I know the title doesnt make snce - but its the best I could come up with.

The reason Im posting this is that the laws have just changed in the UK reguarding the use of mobile phones whilst driving.

For those not from the UK this means a fixed fine if you are caught using the phone and if the matter goes further then a max £1000 at court.!!!!

So what has this got to do with PDA's ?

Well on the face of it nothing - the new laws state that this is to do with Mobile Phones - although using one hads free is ok as long as its in a cradle, you are not allowed to use one.

Now the link with PDA's - obviosly there are smart phones but according to the BBC news this also applies to PDA's as its deemed necesary to hold them to use them.

What I was ondering if any of the more clued up people out there know any more about this. I work for a mobile phone company and therefore have read and seen a fair bit of info on the new law, but have seen nothing that mentions PDA's In fact the more info you see the more confusing things seem to be.

Does this mean for example if you use your PDA as a GPS system then you are still likely to be nicked?

Id apreciate any comments, and suggestions of ways of stil making PDA's and phones useable under the new law. My personal reason is that i keep the vast majority of my contacts on my PDA and want to dial my phone via bluetooth whilst using a bluetooth headset - all at the wheel!!!!!

(And before any one starts - I know dialing a phone and using a PDA both require your attention which should be on the road, but there does seem a plethora of devices that use speach reconition out there - are any of them any good?)

Many thanks

GreenBoy

[popabawa]

Using a PDA whilst driving is already covered by the law, i.e. driving without due care and attention. Same as you can be prosecuted for eating a sandwich, reading a map etc. if you aren't fully in control of the vehicle.

The use of mobile phones has been made a specific offence because it was a slightly grey area and it was felt it should be entirely outlawed.

As for finding a workable solution that will keep me on the right side of the law... I'm still working on that one! I think technology has a little catching up to do :)

[Thox]

as far as i'm aware (i'm also in the UK), the law covers phones that are in your hand but not ones mounted to the dashboard (e.g. you can dial a mounted phone and talk hands-free).

is your palmtop mounted?

if you're just holding it in your hand then i'm not sure whether or not it would be covered by the new mobile phone law.

[cyclist]

Now the link with PDA's - obviosly there are smart phones but according to the BBC news this also applies to PDA's as its deemed necesary to hold them to use them.

What I was ondering if any of the more clued up people out there know any more about this. I work for a mobile phone company and therefore have read and seen a fair bit of info on the new law, but have seen nothing that mentions PDA's In fact the more info you see the more confusing things seem to be.

Does this mean for example if you use your PDA as a GPS system then you are still likely to be nicked?


The law is in Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 2695 The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2003. You can find the text of this at http://www.hmso.gov.uk by using the advanced search for a 2003 statutory instrument with keyword 2695.

I am not a lawyer, so everything that follows is just my opinion of what the law means.:devilboy:

The law applies to a "hand-held mobile telephone" so would apply to a PPC phone edition. It also applies to "a hand-held device" that "performs an interactive communication function by transmitting and receiving data", with an exception for 2 way radios. To me that sounds like using the standalone functionality of a PDA isn't covered.

A device is "hand-held" if it "is or must be held" at some point during the interactive communication or call. So if your PDA is firmly attached to your car, and you don't need to pick it up to use your GPS, then it isn't covered by the law.

So that leaves the question: Is using a GPS an "interactive communication"? The legislation here gives examples of interactive communication that are included - sending or receiving verbal or written messages, faxes, still and moving images, internet access. But note that word including. Anything that can be described as interactive communication is forbidden. Whether this would cover using a GPS I don't know.

Using a PDA whilst driving is already covered by the law, i.e. driving without due care and attention.
Popabawa is absolutely right '8)' Keep your attention on the road and pull over to use the GPS.

As for me, I've never got round to mounting my PPC on the handle bars of my bike - it rains too much in Manchester - so I stop when the phone rings. ':)'

[PR.]

The BBC Interviewed a policemen who was out yesterday catching users, and when asked about PDAs he said that the new law did not apply to PDAs but that you could still be done on dangerours driving and other motoring offences