Talk Morgan Forums Talk Morgan Members Section Special Information Headphones...are they legal?

My wife and I have used headphones in our plus 4 for a few years (primarily for comms during motorway driving, not linked to radio or phones) and a friend has now asked the question, "Are they legal" General google advice seems inconsistent, so does anyone have a definitive answer please?

From a safety point of view hearing another cars horn may be relevant so external noise cancelling headsets might be unwise. Can't see an issue otherwise and no different aurally from driving top down in winter with a flying helmet or crash helmet in M3W.

My understanding is that it is legal, but you could face a 'driving without due care and attention' charge if it was deemed they were responsible in a collision, or if a copper was having a bad day.

I’m afraid I can’t offer any sensible advice, but I’m certain it’s entirely legal for the passenger. I’ve been cautioned several times by the fashion police,
( my son and daughter), I doubt they’d approve😁
Sometimes, with us, just plain headphones without comms might also be a good idea although the same legal dilemma applies.

dont expect many police would know what the law is motor bikers use intercoms to speak to each other so dont worry

https://www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs...s/headphones-as-a-driver-distraction.pdf

“In the UK, it is not specifically illegal to drive while wearing headphones, but if the police believe a driver was distracted or not in full control of their vehicle, the driver could be stopped and penalised. Rule 148 of the Highway Code also states that safe driving and riding needs concentration, and therefore drivers and riders should avoid distractions such as loud music that could mask other sounds.”

Such as an emergency vehicle on blues and twos' that you don't hear and block their progress. Happens a lot !!!!!!!! vehicles can be reported and ticket in the post.

Be careful if you intend to use them abroad, I think some EU countries (France for example) don't like them, France also has a limit on how much tint is allowed in sunglasses and not wearing in low light conditions according to my optician

Not legal in France

I've always used in ear moulded earplugs, as do the vast majority of motorcyclists. I'd happily wear a set of ear defenders in an open car, after all they don't make you deaf to all noise, but rather they're decibel attenuators. They do make your ears horribly sweaty, however. The moulded earplugs don't, but they do get annoying after many hours on a tour, and prompt a nice stop and rest. Hearing is too valuable to lose, though..

My hearing aids shut down when exposed to strong wind so when in the Mog I tend to take them out, so is it much different from wearing headphones as either way the sound received is sub normal.

I know a couple of folk locally that are DEAF and they drive legally without any problems !

Probably use their mirrors more often than most white van drivers.

Yes, in my view they are very attentive safe drivers as their awareness levels are higher I believe as part of the compensation of losing one sense.

Both my Father and my Uncle became profoundly deaf in their latter years. They drove safely-ish, but couldn't hear emergency vehicles coming up behind them, and perhaps more dangerously couldn't hear if their indicators were on. With advancing years, diminishing eyesight ruled-out night driving, and restricted neck movement made emerging from junctions very hazardous. I have noticed the same thing in the past year or so, the trick will be to know when to stop driving. Hopefully not just yet.

I have never seen bikers get into trouble for them under helmets.

I have used headphone(s) in the S2 in the past, mostly using 1 bluetooth earpiece with noise cancelling to hear the waze/satnav and have a clear other ear for surrounding stuff. I am always very aware that hearing bluelight sirens is paramount.