Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Mobile phone holder

Stewart,

I think this exemption is basically to allow us to do our job. We don't normally hold our radios in the hand anyway, they are generally clipped to our jacket and car sets have PTT buttons mounted on stalks next to the steering wheel. The same offence of Fail to maintain proper control or Careless driving will apply to anybody committing those offences. Not sure if many people apart from truck drivers still use 2 way radio.

Sorry if you are talking on the radio, I cannot accept you are concentrating on the road and what is going on in the road.

If a punter in all reasonableness is not able to use a mobile while driving and I have no issue with that as I accept it is dangerous.

I cannot accept that a Police Officer or Ambulance Driver etc., is any more capable of driving and having a similar if not more intense conversation at the same time.

One would think, under the circumstances, that a verbal warning would have been sufficient. It is not as though there is any actual risk if the vehicle is stationary at a red light.

There is a slight difference though Eddie - I don't think any mobile radio systems work in duplex - send/receive at same time, such as a phone. A conversation with a passenger could be regarded as the same as using a phone that is fixed in a car...

Keith, there are still a few amateur radio operators that run mobile radio, most with hands free microphones, but we are few and far between.

Except a passenger can see when you need to concentrate so won't ask you questions or expect you to answer.

A passenger that can drive, perhaps.
Did not apply to

Can someone please tell me why we are allowed 32oz coffee cup holders then? I don't see them being changed. Pouring boiling hot liquid on your furry bits is both dangerous to car control and your health but no-one seems to care?

Eating, drinking and for that matter, smoking, can all result in a charge of "driving without due care and attention" if an officer is so minded.

Thank goodness you didn't include vaping.

That is the bit I don't like. Too many laws seem to be subject to interpretation and depending on whether or not said officer has had a bad day, or a row with his wife, or is just plain stroppy, you may finish up with a fine that is not really justified. The beak will usually uphold the position of the said officer so unless you can afford a top QC you will probably loose if you try to fight it.

I do speak from personal experience, all be it 50 years ago. The charge was "dangerous driving" and I had a certain amount of un-confirmable evidence that not only did the said officer not follow me on the section of road stated but also had a gripe with the company where I worked.