Mobile Phones used as a Satellite Navigation

DavidKlyne
DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,864 ✭✭✭
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edited August 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I found this on another forum which might be of interest https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/uk/using-phone-sat-nav-punishable-200-fine/ It might be worth taking note of?

David

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #2

    Surely only an idiot would use it hand held?

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,308 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #3

    Agreed.

    However, interesting point, looking at a map on a phone, specific offence £200 fine and 3 points. No argument you are guilty.

    Paper map, I assume they would have to prove you were not in proper control of your vehicle.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,864 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #4

    Some points raised elsewhere is that this legislation only applies to mobile phones not other devices. However the police could equally charge you with not being in control of your vehicle in the same way if they see you eating a sandwich at the wheel. I wonder if the point of this latest legislation is to stop people making the excuse that they were using there phone as a sat nav rather than as a phone so it covers all bases?

    David

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited August 2017 #5

    It's a good law, I think we've all seen the phone being used in these dangerous ways. I use my phone as a satnav using an App. In my eyeline it is below the vehicles bonnet, as in-I can't see the road thru the vehicles bonnet so the phone being below(visually) the Bonnet line it must be legal.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #6

    I regularly use my smart phone as a sat nav in my car running OsmAnd+ but in a proper holder and plugged into the cars lighter socket.

    peedee

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited August 2017 #7

    I often wonder about the legality of smoking while driving - holding something burning in one hand while driving with the other? Are you really 'in control of your vehicle'? 

    Before anyone asks, no never smoked.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #8

    We can add to the list of things that MIGHT cause a driver to be not in control - child in car, dog in car, spider in car, wasp in eye, finger in nose, finger on sat-nav. Really, it is endless.

     

  • TheSearles
    TheSearles Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited August 2017 #9

    I am an ex-firefighter and have been to road accidents caused by dogs loose inside a car and also wasps, but not many.  Unlike mobile phones, when I cannot count the number that these caused, some very serious.  It's a question of reducing risk, it can't be eliminated. Making holding a mobile phone illegal is a simple step which protects not just the driver but the other road users. Using one is just plain selfish.

    By the way, alcohol was easily the most common cause, but mobile phones are probably second.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2017 #10

    no never smoked  You don't say ...... innocent 

    I managed for many years to both smoke & drive, I can't see why you wouldn't be 'in control .... '