Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Speeding Convictions.

I meant more the checking of messages than simply handling the device. Obviously moving it from a pocket to a door card or similar wouldn't to my mind constitute 'using' the device. But the law is there so that it encompasses the full range of uses of a mobile phone. The point is about distraction rather than making/receiving a phonecall and when I was a copper that was always how it was enforced. It's discretionary too: when I used to do foot patrol I tapped on many a person's window in stationary traffic whilst they were looking at messages. They crapped themselves, I told them off and they went on their way. I applied discretion because, let's face it, they're not endangering anyone by sitting there with the handbrake applied. It obviously isn't the same as driving with a distracted mind and without proper control of the vehicle.

I am not saying everyone applied it the same way I did but I know that generally speaking the people I know did. Nobody wanted to stitch up Joe Public, we wanted to punish those who weren't concentrating or weren't in proper control, 'cos they're the ones who cause accidents. It was no benefit to me to issue people with FPNs as a response bobby, so when I did they were deserved. Like the bloke with the Conti GT who couldn't afford a handsfree kit!

I can also assure you that most coppers would rather some easier way of contacting control than using their radios but often it is necessary and that's why there's provision to do so. The focus is on the car in front rather than what's for dinner and have I bought new shoes etc.!

re: speed camera. Pray it hasn't got film or the central ticket office has too many tickets to process and will bin it...

Wondered when you'd spot it

As I said, privileged and honoured

Well Cicerone and NtSimon, boring as it may sound in a discussion forum, where I'm sure many look to me to 'spice things up' I think we are broadly in agreement

Anyhow, what about those Americans burning those Korans..... just kidding

Not just phones though.
It's handheld electronic devices, does include the likes of SatNavs.

Ignoring for the present, driving without due care, dangerous driving etc. and referring SPECIFICALLY to the law brought in to combat handheld mobile phone use (and other handheld devices), provided the device is FIXED to the VEHICLE it may be used. I'm not suggesting reading text messages, but hands free phone kits - not brilliant, but better than using one hand to hold a phone to one's ear. (My employers have a 'no mobile phone use' in vehicles policy, for anyone driving - we're supposed to switch phones off. It's always useful when a Manager says "Why didn't you answer your phone?" ).

A communications radio, one may use a handheld microphone, provided the radio is fitted to the vehicle - we have the Radio Society of Great Britain to thank for that amendment, realising that use of amateur radio mobile would vanish - but it also applies to emergency service vehicles. If that exclusions amendment had not been applied, emergency services drivers would not legally be able to use their radio equipment while on the move! (I'll try to find an online link to the exclusions list later - I have a printed copy with my radio logbook). As for the Airwave digital portables (Tel... whatever they are) which we see on the TV police progs clipped to shoulder straps - a No No under the law - if they are placed in the vehicle holder, no problem.

The law was yet another example of kneejerk reaction to a problem (yes, it is still a problem), but there are (and were at the time) sufficient laws to cover the issue.

I run mobile (amateur) radio in vehicles. They are fixed to the vehicle. Remote microphones either on a neckband or an extension from sunvisor, nothing to hold - both hands on the steering wheel. A PTT switchbox fitted to the dash, or gearlever, mean not having to hold a button down while talking (going back to those TV police shows again). Switching between transmit and receive takes less time than changing gear (particularly in the 90! ) I use the radio on the move, where it is safe to do so (which is getting rarer with the number of muppets out there). As a simplex radio system, it's not the same as mobile phones.

(Bit disjointed, sorry - it's early and my workshop server has just fallen over...)

Cheers,

I don't want to be rude to Cicerone in any way but his posts do do exactly what he says and summarise the approach and attitude of most police I've had dealings with.

No wonder that chief constable complains about middle class attitudes and no wonder the police get ever decreasing middle class support.

If you're going to be rude and infer things based on a couple of select posts on an internet forum, have the decency to actually post something reasonable worth debating rather than a baseless statement. In my experience people who start sentences with 'not to be rude' know they are being exactly that.

You haven't a clue about what I have done, where I have been or how I used to police. If you have a specific issue with what I have posted please highlight it rather than making glib comments and I will answer in a suitably reasonable manner. Cheers.

Update re flash!
No NIP received so now outside the 2 week window!
PHEW!!!
Looks like the camera was out of film!
This goes to show that its sometimes very easy to get distracted. I KNIOW the cameras there and always slow from the higher speed to under 30 at that point anyway so was angry at not doing this just once!
As for the above comments re distractions whilst driving - anything can cause momentary diistraction which in most cases seems to have np effect. However, how many "incidents" on our roads are due to any one of the miriad distractions that can occur?
I wont bore anyone with a list of these - but ANYTHING can distract.

Sospan

I did have to laugh (not at you but with you) when you say in the above post "slow from the higher speed". You may as well write "I slow down for speed cameras and therefore I speed all the time" !

Of course none of us would ever admit to that ! Is this the new classification for being middle class ? Oh goodie I just went up a class !

8^)

Good news.

Personally, I dislike speed cameras unless they are placed near schools or other area of extreme risk (hospitals). I do not agree with them as a general deterrent nor in 'accident black-spots) as the punishment is delivered far too late after the perceived offence.

Yes i agree. Locally we have blackspots with no cameras yet places with overkill. One village has one at either end with another in middle yet its never been a problem area - I wonder who lives there with clout to get them sited?
I have satnav with camera locations on it but may follow Graham and get the devices he described above.
One question for Graham - are the monthly updates free?
My TomTom needs chargeable updates.