Was walking down the high street today and saw one of the local police giving a ticket to a lady for using a mobile whilst driving.

She then drove a few feet further and stopped on double yellows, partially obstructing the main bus-only exit from the high street, left the engine running & made another phone call, all in full view of the policeman who'd just ticketed her.

When he came over to tell her he'd just given her a ticket for making a phone call and once again advised her it was unlawful to use a hand-held mobile unless the car was parked with the engine off, she gave the officer a tirade of abuse & at one point I thought she was about to get out of her car and assault him. :bang:

Can't say I was surprised to see the policeman writing out a second ticket.

Serves her right

That now £30 x 2 could have brought her a very nice bluetooth handsfree!!

Welcome to Survival of the fittest

I'd of loved to of seen that on good old youtube!

Ziggy

Ziggy122 said:

That now £30 x 2 could have brought her a very nice bluetooth handsfree!!

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I think that's £60 x 2 + 6 penalty points - if she's been driving less than 2 yrs, she'll lose her licence & have to retake her driving test.

The implication for future insurance premiums is frightening.

An expensive rush of blood to the head.

I dont turn my engine off, but i always stop in the best place.
i do have a handsfree kit but only turn bluetooth on when expecting a call or on motorway. and even then i pull behind a hgv

If you leave the engine running and are not hands-free you commit the offence. Some have been ticketed with engine off and keys in ignition. Offence I think is "in charge" of a motor vehicle. Engine off, keys out and on top of dash or in centre console or door pocket removes the "in charge" possibility.

Sitting behind a truck will get you noticed, who else would normally sit there? And it'll hurt when it stops and you don't react.

portland_bill said:

Sitting behind a truck will get you noticed, who else would normally sit there?

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slip streamers :slayer:

I don't have hands free, I don't see the point I see plenty idiots nearly crash talking on hands free they are as distracting as holding it.
I don't pull over either. I wait until I get to where I was going then check who called.

portland_bill said:

If you leave the engine running and are not hands-free you commit the offence. Some have been ticketed with engine off and keys in ignition. Offence I think is "in charge" of a motor vehicle. Engine off, keys out and on top of dash or in centre console or door pocket removes the "in charge" possibility.

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Wonder how that one works with the keyless car with the start / power button?

jrkitching said:

The implication for future insurance premiums is frightening.

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Probably the sort not to disclose them

portland_bill said:

Engine off, keys out and on top of dash or in centre console or door pocket removes the "in charge" possibility.

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No it doesn't, you can be done for drink driving sitting in the rear seat with keys in the car if you're over the limit as you're still 'in charge'.

Andy Monty said:

Wonder how that one works with the keyless car with the start / power button?

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Wording is something along the lines or energised (cant remember the exact words) to enable electric vehicles to be covered, hybrids etc. IE read to move without having to do more than put it in gear, if you've to hit a start button then it's off, if it's just start stop engaged then it's still energised and an offence.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

No it doesn't, you can be done for drink driving sitting in the rear seat with keys in the car if you're over the limit as you're still 'in charge'.

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wonder how it works if your in this.........

even on a campsite (if its not gated) it will still be classed as in a public area like you can be done for doing dohnuts in tescos car park. (best not tell plod or the camping and caravaining club will be up in arms) :devil: Or have the police got to show you intended to drive? i suppose if you had it plugged into the mains hook up and had the legs wound down (if fitted) you'd be safe

Most Easterly Pandas said:

No it doesn't, you can be done for drink driving sitting in the rear seat with keys in the car if you're over the limit as you're still 'in charge'.

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The rules are different for drink driving and mobile phone use.

For mobile use, you will have a sufficient defence if you are parked in a reasonable position and the engine is switched off.

Andy Monty said:

Wonder how that one works with the keyless car with the start / power button?

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Mmm, a little bit tricky as even if the keycard thingy is in your pocket the ignition should be on and therefore is the same as having the ignition on

Andy Monty said:

wonder how it works if your in this.........

even on a campsite (if its not gated) it will still be classed as in a public area like you can be done for doing dohnuts in tescos car park. (best not tell plod or the camping and caravaining club will be up in arms) :devil: Or have the police got to show you intended to drive? i suppose if you had it plugged into the mains hook up and had the legs wound down (if fitted) you'd be safe

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I think the difference would be in the case of access. Tesco's car park would be considered as being a place accessible to the general public, whereas a campsite would usually be private property where you would have to book (effectively ask for permission) to use the site.

jrkitching said:

The rules are different for drink driving and mobile phone use.

For mobile use, you will have a sufficient defence if you are parked in a reasonable position and the engine is switched off.

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If the key is in the ignition and you are using a mobile you are considered to be in charge of a motor vehicle. Good point about the "reasonable position" though. If you've had a skinful and decide to sleep it off in the car then you only need to have the keys with you, even in your pocket

what about lorry parks?
most are open to public, so is lorry driver breaking the law if he has a couple of cans in the early evening after finishing his shift, if he is going to sleep in his cab?

dave said:

what about lorry parks?
most are open to public, so is lorry driver breaking the law if he has a couple of cans in the early evening after finishing his shift, if he is going to sleep in his cab?

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Very foolish to be honest, planning of driving something like that the day after, shouldn't have a drop in them IMO.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Very foolish to be honest, planning of driving something like that the day after, shouldn't have a drop in them IMO.

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here here!!

wagon drivers should have a 0 limit to alcohol IMO
In a more lethal weapon then a car, and they are "meant" to be professionals too!

Ziggy

I was asking for a legal view rather than a moral one.