Mobile phone rules

[gary_1.2Merit]

Does the NO USING MOBILE PHONES WHILST DRIVING rules also apply to using mobile/man portable radios?

Me and some mates are going on a 4 car convoy and i have a number or 2 way radios, just wondering if we'd be liable for using a phone if we used them whilst driving? They are the ones you hold in your hand, but what about the ones that fit into the dash and you just hold the mike in your hand? surely they cant be illegal too, as we use them in work vans and truckers use them too (i guess)

[General Baxter]

CB radios are pefectly legal, its all to do with the wave band :p


like you can still use a car phone (old school one, connected to the car via a wire)

[Jack]

The law had a glitch in it where it specifically stated mobile phones, so people with two-way radios could, and did, get off on that technicality. Not sure if they've fixed that now, but I would assume so.

Anyway, a copper could still nick you for driving with undue care and attention if he wanted to.

[General Baxter]

Just looked it up, Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 2695
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2003

The ban only covers equipment on the following frequencies:
880 MHz to 915 MHz, 925 MHz to 960 MHz, 1710 MHz to 1785 MHz, 1805 MHz to 1880 MHz, 1900 MHz to 1980 MHz or 2110 MHz to 2170 MHz

The UK phone networks operate on frequencies around 900 & 1800Mhz so that's where they get you. Although if you're on a radio outside these and they get the hump

[Mike]

Some radio equipment requiers a license to use remember :thumb:

[Philsutton]

Like Jack said, they still get you and cross it over to some other offence. They will class it as careless driving, like putting on makeup while driving.