Safe Speed Forums

After my post about mobile use and possible revised penalties just now I wondered how people use their phones at the moment.

I've tried to word this to find out what people are actually doing rather than what they think they ought to be doing, so be honest even if you're admitting you're breaking the law (hopefully no-one is) or not living up to your own ideals. Hands up - I fall into the latter category. Although I have a cradle and would ideally use it only for calls of earth shattering importance, I admit I do sometimes make calls which aren't really that essential so I'm checking the fourth option even though my ideal is the fifth. In mitigation I will say that I do keep it as brief as I can, I only call "one touch" numbers that I can speed dial or voice dial, and I have an annoying habit of going silent when manoeuvering and making the person on the other end think they've been cut off.

Part 2 of the poll is here

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

None of the above:

I have a Bluetooth fixed installation and my phone is either in my briefcase, in my coat at the rear of the vehicle, or on charge using the rear power socket. In all cases, I cannot reach the phone; the phone does not need to be "held" to be operated while driving (incoming calls and voice-tag dialing only) and so my (very limited) use of it is not illegal.

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Will

Is Bluetooth okay then? I thought any headset type device was included in the ban and only cradle types were legal. If not I stand corrected. In any event where I've said "cradle" treat it as meaning anything currently legal. Sorry if that means you've ticked the wrong option willcove. I should have definied things better in the blurb.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

Bluetooth headsets are not (AIUI) strictly legal because wearing the thing around your ear makes it "hand-held", and the headset itself is a two-way communication device and so covered under the regs. So, I suspect that using a headset is as illegal as holding the phone between your shoulder and your ear.

However, I have a fixed installation that uses the stereo speakers and has a microphone near the sunvisor. This is actually safer than a cradle because you don't need to touch the phone at all for voice dialling -- just tap a small pad on the dash and speak. Click here for details of the kit I have. It costs under £90 and (provided your stereo has ISO connectors) is simple to fit yourself.

FWIW, I'm being pedantic about Bluetooth because some installers have interpreted the regs as requiring a cradle and refuse to install a Bluetooth kit unless you stump up fifteen pounds or more for one. However, I've spoken to my local police who confirm that a cradle is not required provided you don't touch the phone to use it. So, I guess the installers are erring on the side of caution because the temptation may be there for some users to hand-dial, which would be illegal without a cradle. FWIW2, that's why I make sure that my phone is out of reach -- because if I can't reach it, there's no way that I can be accused of holding it while driving.

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Will

I have the facility to install the phone under my seat and use it via speakers in my crash helmet (I ride a bike by the way). I have stopped using it, although my set up is entirely legal, it is most definately distracting.

Theres never been a call that couldn't wait.

For you perhaps that's true. However, I earn my living as a contractor and I have yet to find a contract that didn't start with my answering a call on my mobile. If I don't answer my phone, I don't work so it makes sense to install a proper hands-free system. That said, I tend to apologise for not being able to give the caller my full attention and ask them to call back in a few minutes. I then park up so that I can give the caller my undivided attention...

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Will

Sorry I misunderstood you willcove. The only Bluetooth gadgets I'd seen were the headset/earpiece jobs. I didn't know about the installation you've got, though re-reading your post I should have guessed. By the sounds of it, it's just like having a cradle type installation, but without the cradle.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein