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  1. Published on: 29/05/2016 07:05 AMReported by: roving-eye
    What is the penalty for using a mobile phone while driving? 3 penalty points and a £100 fine.



    Safety camera vans now enforce mobile phone offences, as well as drivers not wearing a seat belt and speeding motorists. Talking, texting or downloading data onto your phone requires you to concentrate on that activity. Research has proved that if you use your mobile phone (hands-free or hand-held) whilst driving, your reaction times are worse than if you drive under the influence of alcohol.

    Offences that are committed are recorded onto a DVD as evidence. The DVD is then forwarded to the relevant Central Ticket Office who will then send the relevant information to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

    If a case goes to court then, in addition to the points, discretionary disqualification can be added on top of the existing maximum fine of £1,000. This can rise to £2,500 in the case of a driver of a bus, coach or goods vehicle.

    Before you start the engine of your vehicle switch off your mobile. Set your phone to voicemail or call divert, that way you will not miss a call. If you are on a long journey take regular breaks, get out and walk about and make your calls then.

    There have been a number of research reports identifying the danger of using any mobile phone while driving. Click on the following link to open ROSPA's document - 'The Risk of Using a Mobile Phone While Driving'

    What is the law regarding using your mobile phones whilst driving?

    It is illegal to drive a vehicle and use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device. It is also illegal to supervise a learner driver while using a hand-held phone. ‘Driving’ is also defined as when the engine is running, so pulling into a lay-by and not switching off the ignition, or stopping at traffic lights also counts as driving.

    Is there anything wrong in using a mobile phone while driving?

    It is dangerous because a telephone conversation (or texting) distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely. Research shows that a driver’s reaction times are up to 50% slower than normal when driving and using a phone, and 30%worse than when driving under the influence of alcohol.

    Is a driver allowed to use other equipment like a hands-free kit?

    Although it is not illegal to use a hands-free kit for a mobile phone, they are also a distraction and you risk prosecution for not having proper control of a vehicle if the police see you driving poorly while using one.

    What about employers?

    Employers should not ask their staff to use a mobile phone while driving and can also be liable to prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act if an incident occurs.
    You may comment here but news always gets more discussion at our facebook.com/groups/southportnews


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    Your Comments:


  3. prasnee says:29/05/2016 08:30 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by roving-eye View Post
    What is the law regarding using your mobile phones whilst driving?

    It is illegal to drive a vehicle and use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device. It is also illegal to supervise a learner driver while using a hand-held phone. ‘Driving’ is also defined as when the engine is running, so pulling into a lay-by and not switching off the ignition, or stopping at traffic lights also counts as driving.

    Is there anything wrong in using a mobile phone while driving?

    It is dangerous because a telephone conversation (or texting) distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely. Research shows that a driver’s reaction times are up to 50% slower than normal when driving and using a phone, and 30%worse than when driving under the influence of alcohol.
    I completely agree that using a mobile phone distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely, but why exactly does a driver need to "concentrate" when pulled up in a lay-by or stopped at traffic lights?

  4. Stupot says:29/05/2016 03:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by prasnee View Post
    I completely agree that using a mobile phone distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely, but why exactly does a driver need to "concentrate" when pulled up in a lay-by or stopped at traffic lights?
    If you have to ask the question with regard to being stopped at traffic lights, then you shouldn't be driving at all in the first place.

  5. Superbead says:29/05/2016 05:25 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Stupot View Post
    If you have to ask the question with regard to being stopped at traffic lights, then you shouldn't be driving at all in the first place.
    Agreed.

  6. prasnee says:29/05/2016 05:31 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Stupot View Post
    If you have to ask the question with regard to being stopped at traffic lights, then you shouldn't be driving at all in the first place.
    Sorry, but if you are stationery why does it matter how much your mental concentration (which is needed to drive safely) is affected?

  7. Superbead says:29/05/2016 05:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by prasnee View Post
    Sorry, but if you are stationery why does it matter how much your mental concentration (which is needed to drive safely) is affected?
    If you're sat waiting at red lights, they're going to go green at a time not controlled by you, at which point you'll have to act and move your car, so you should be aware of your surroundings and anticipating what's going to happen.

    Is the edgy-looking lad in the lowered BMW opposite about to attempt a quick right across you, even though he's not signalling?

    Will you account for the cyclist who pulled up on your nearside before making your left turn?

    I agree that the idea of having to concentrate while sat in a lay-by is a bit daft, but as Stu says, if you really feel the need to question why you ought to be paying attention when at a red light, I should hope you've not got a licence.

  8. EDDIE12 says:29/05/2016 05:50 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by prasnee View Post
    Sorry, but if you are stationery why does it matter how much your mental concentration (which is needed to drive safely) is affected?
    If you are stationery you have no mental capacity and are not allowed to drive.

  9. prasnee says:29/05/2016 06:20 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Superbead View Post
    If you're sat waiting at red lights, they're going to go green at a time not controlled by you, at which point you'll have to act and move your car, so you should be aware of your surroundings and anticipating what's going to happen.
    But if you are stationery or even stationary I still don't see how it's "dangerous" as opposed to (possibly) annoying to the car behind.

    Bear in mind I was specifically querying the statement that "it is dangerous because a telephone conversation (or texting) distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely. Research shows that a driver’s reaction times are up to 50% slower than normal when driving and using a phone ..."

  10. Superbead says:29/05/2016 07:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by prasnee View Post
    But if you are stationery or even stationary I still don't see how it's "dangerous" as opposed to (possibly) annoying to the car behind.
    Did you read the rest of my post? Actually, I know you did.

    Let's say you're sitting at a red light furiously texting away, at the front of the queue, and already aware there's another car behind you. Out of the corner of your eye you notice the lights have just turned green. The junction is clear. You quickly drop the phone into your lap, put the car into gear, and accelerate into your left turn.

    Almost immediately afterwards, there's a scraping noise, a *crack* from your passenger door mirror, and you spot the cyclist just as he disappears under your rear wheel.

    Do you agree that, had you been paying attention to the traffic rather than dealing with your text message, you would have stood a greater chance of seeing the cyclist before making your manoeuvre?

  11. Ceam says:29/05/2016 07:33 PM
    Fine and point are not high enough.
    £500 and 6 points at least before idiots take notice.

  12. silver fox says:29/05/2016 07:52 PM
    The report claims that reactions are more impaired than driving under the influence of alcohol, that being the case then punishment should also be as rigorous, automatic ban and heavy fine, come on, when if ever is that phone call worth more than life itself?.

  13. Fawlty says:29/05/2016 08:52 PM
    Good this, these vans take photographs. A photograph of me leaning on my elbow stationary in a traffic jam on a hot June afternoon of 2007 would have stopped two police officers lying in court in a statement alleging "he was holding a silver fliptop Samsung style phone and appeared to be talking on it".

    Three court appearances and a tax bill of over £5000 before it was thrown out.

    In 2007 I never possessed a mobile phone.

  14. prasnee says:29/05/2016 10:17 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Superbead View Post
    Did you read the rest of my post? Actually, I know you did.

    Let's say you're sitting at a red light furiously texting away, at the front of the queue, and already aware there's another car behind you. Out of the corner of your eye you notice the lights have just turned green. The junction is clear. You quickly drop the phone into your lap, put the car into gear, and accelerate into your left turn.

    Almost immediately afterwards, there's a scraping noise, a *crack* from your passenger door mirror, and you spot the cyclist just as he disappears under your rear wheel.

    Do you agree that, had you been paying attention to the traffic rather than dealing with your text message, you would have stood a greater chance of seeing the cyclist before making your manoeuvre?
    Yes, I do agree. Just as there would have been a greater chance of seeing the cyclist if the motorist hadn't been doing all sorts of things while stopped at traffic lights, like chatting to his/her passenger, admiring the scenery, retuning the car radio etc.

  15. Fawlty says:30/05/2016 06:10 AM
    I never get why this is contested, its illegal and that's it.



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