Talking on the Phone and Driving

Posted on 19/02/2018

Our instructor MR AMDI has over 15 years of experience in many areas such as East London He has experienced the ever-growing issue of talking on the phone and driving, so we asked him to give us his view on the issue:

“I understand that living in 2018 would be hard without your phone, no matter where you go; you can be sure to see the majority people with their iPhone in their hand. I see pupils eager to get back on their phone as soon as they finish their lessons. I continuously try to highlight the importance of leaving your phone out of sight while driving as not only are you putting your life at risk, but you are putting innocent drivers in great danger. As a driving instructor, I am on the roads for a huge chunk of my day, and I still can’t believe the endless amount of drivers I see on their phone!”

What Happens If You Get Caught On Your Phone While Driving?

Since late 2003, it has been illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving and over the years the penalties have become increasingly severe. The penalty for being caught on your mobile while driving doubled in 2017, meaning that you will now be faced with a minimum of a £200 fine and six points on your driving licence.

For new drivers in their first two years of driving, six points are the maximum amount that you can have on your licence meaning that your licence will be taken away if you are caught using your mobile phone while driving.

When Can You Use Your Phone While Driving?

The use of mobile phone is not prohibited if the method is through a hands-free device. You must set up the equipment before you set off, so there will be no need for you to handle the device while driving. Although, it is legal to use a hands-free phone, if the police suspect that your driving is being distracted due to this, they are still legally able to pull you over and question you.

A mobile phone can also be used if it is needed for navigation as a sat-nav, however similarly to hands-free, it must be fully set up before you drive. The phone must be in a fixed position throughout the journey in a place which can clearly be seen while driving without the need to have to adjust or hold the device at any point.

A hand-held mobile phone can only be used if you are parked in a safe area away from traffic, this does not include when you are stopped at traffic lights. The only circumstance where you would be allowed to use a hand help device is if it is a genuine, serious emergency where you have to call 999, and there is no safe place to stop the car.

Driver Using His Phone Whilst Driving

Why Is Talking On The Phone And Driving So Dangerous?

We spoke to Hamdi who is part of our Driving school instructor also in the East London area about his opinion on the seriousness of using a handheld mobile while driving.

“Talking or texting on your phone will distract you. I try to emphasise the facts to my pupils, that they are four times more likely to crash by talking on the phone. This statistic is quite shocking; I don’t think people realise the seriousness of the offence. Not only that, but your reaction time is affected more than someone who has been drinking and driving at the legal limit. A campaign has now begun to show young drivers the reality of car crashes in Northampton; stressing the consequences of being negligent on the road by doing things such as talking on the phone while driving.”

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