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Although there is currently no law in the UK saying that you cannot use a mobile in your car without a hands-free kit the police can use existing legislation to prosecute you for driving without due care and attention.
According to the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, mobile phones are an essential means of communication away from the office or home and for motorists they can be an important security asset in the event of an emergency. However, using a mobile phone while driving can distract your attention from the road, and driving today requires all your concentration all of the time.
Drivers
It is unsafe for a driver to use a hand-held mobile phone. Making or receiving a call, even with a hands-free phone, can distract your attention from driving and could lead to an accident and responsibility for the safe control of a vehicle always rests with the driver.
The law says...
You must have proper control of your vehicle at all times. If the use of a phone causes you to drive in a careless or dangerous manner you could be prosecuted for those offences. The penalties include an unlimited fine, disqualification and up to two years imprisonment.
Never hold a mobile phone whilst driving
- You are not in full control of your vehicle if you are holding a mobile phone while driving. Doing so will risk the safety of yourself, your passengers and other road users.
- When you are driving, use in car phone or hands free kit to make or answer a call.
Employers
- If you or your customers need to contact staff while they may be driving, ensure that you provide hands-free equipment with voicemail or call divert facilities and encourage your staff to stop regularly to check for messages and return calls.
- The emergency services, taxi drivers and couriers often need to be contacted while on the road. Where contact is unavoidable, it is safer if the vehicle is fitted with hands-free equipment and communication is kept to a minimum.
Installation of Hands-free Equipment
In order to reduce driver distraction and the possibility of interference with vehicle systems, hands-free equipment should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and should follow the British Standards Institution's 'Guide to in-vehicle information systems' (DD 235: 1996). |
