Caught using mobile when driving.

Swordfish · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:14

Right, I've just got caught using my mobile when driving. Stupid and dangerous I know and I'm entirely in the wrong (first points on licence in 15 years !)

The question I have is I have a Desire HD which is normally in a screen mounted caddy and I use my Bluetooth headset and was wondering if this is actually classed as a hands free kit?

Reason I ask is even with the touch screen on the phone it can take a few presses to dial the person I want to speak to or is it proper just to use these for incoming calls?

Vonhelmet · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:44

You might get away with it if it's comparable to changing tracks on the stereo or whatever.

Is the voice dialling no good? I know it's a bit sketchy on my iPhone...

Redgie · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:47

Same phone, same situation, I've asked a friend who works in the Police and he said if he saw me typing on my phone then as long as it is mounted close enough to the wheel to mean that my vision is still focused forwards and therefore towards the road he wouldn't pull me over.

Whether or not that's an official ruling or just his opinion I don't know.

DM · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:49

Redgie said:
Same phone, same situation, I've asked a friend who works in the Police and he said if he saw me typing on my phone then as long as it is mounted close enough to the wheel to mean that my vision is still focused forwards and therefore towards the road he wouldn't pull me over.

Whether or not that's an official ruling or just his opinion I don't know.

Thats the problem because you get another copper see you fiddling with your phone and hes calling it texting while driving and nicking you.

Shimmyhill · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:55

I was told that if mounted you are allowed to touch it - i too have a CU80 and my phone was not being used but i had it in my hand while i plugged a handsfree kit into it!

Vampyre · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:59

I've always wondered how this works, I wish Google would get the bluetooth voice dialling thing sorted, MS managed to get it working on Windows mobile after all.

Theophany · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:59

I know I'll probably get chewed out for this but are these phone calls so urgent that you cannot either just *wait* or pull over in a safe place to dial the numbers? :confused:

Hades · 9 Jul 2011 at 13:10

Isn't the offence "using a handheld device"? In which case a device mounted on the dash or screen would not be an offence unless you are driving without due care and attention.

dfarrall · 9 Jul 2011 at 13:22

I think 90% of cops will let you off, as long as your using it hands-free for the majority of the time. At the end of the day 90% are just trying to follow the rules to a reasonable extent. The other 10% however..

thepeteh · 9 Jul 2011 at 14:18

I was told by a copper that any more than 2 touches to dial or pickup and its classed as illegal.

Dr Who · 9 Jul 2011 at 14:36

Desire has voice activated dialling as an option surely?

Vampyre · 9 Jul 2011 at 14:38

Dr Who said:
Desire has voice activated dialling as an option surely?

Not via bluetooth, so whether it works depends on how far the phone was mounted from you, road noise etc

Swordfish · 9 Jul 2011 at 15:00

Cheers for replies (busy busy getting new lounge carpet fitted).

The voice dialling is crap on it tbh. I also use the map/navigation features which is quite good but does required a good few touches to input a destination and I do do this on the fly.

Thinking of actually asking the Police when I go down and donate to the Christmas fund sorry pay my fine.

Hades said:
Isn't the offence "using a handheld device"? In which case a device mounted on the dash or screen would not be an offence unless you are driving without due care and attention.

My offence is listed as "Using a hand held mobile phone whilst driving"

Marvin · 9 Jul 2011 at 15:05

thepeteh said:
I was told by a copper that any more than 2 touches to dial or pickup and its classed as illegal.

More than two shakes and it's playing with yourself?