In a new regulation due to come into force on 1 December 2003, it is a specific offence to use a hand-held phone, or similar device, when driving. The penalty is a £30 fixed penalty or up to £1,000 on conviction in court (£2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches). Drivers still risk prosecution (for failure to have proper control) if they use hands-free phones when driving.
Q1. What does the regulation say about hand-held phones?
The use of a hand-held phone or similar hand-held device while driving will be prohibited. A hand-held device is something that “is or must be held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function”.
A device is “similar” to a mobile phone if it performs an interactive communication function by transmitting and receiving data. Examples of interactive communication functions are sending and receiving spoken or written messages, sending or receiving still or moving images and providing access to the internet.
2-way radios are subject to special treatment under the regulations. See Q14 below regarding 2-way radios for further information.
Q2. Is hands-free phone equipment allowed?
Provided that a phone can be operated without holding it, then hands-free equipment is not prohibited by the new regulation.
And pushing buttons on a phone while it is in a cradle or on the steering wheel or handlebars of a motorbike for example is not covered by the new offence, provided you don’t hold the phone.
However, hands-free phones are also distracting and you still risk prosecution for failing to have proper control of a vehicle under Regulation 104 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 if you use a hands-free phone when driving. If there is an incident, the use of any phone or similar device might justify charges of careless or dangerous driving.
Q3. What about texting/internet access/video phones?
The use of a mobile phone or similar device for any of these activities while driving is also prohibited if the phone (or other device) has to be held in order to operate it.
Q4. Will drivers still be able to use navigation equipment or personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other computer equipment that sends or receives data (which would include GPS transmissions)?
Yes - providing that it is not a hand-held device. Use of devices other than mobile phones are only prohibited if the device performs an interactive communication function by sending and receiving data. If the device does not perform this type of function, you can use the device without breaching the regulations.
But remember the warning in the Highway Code (Rule 128) that using in-vehicle systems can be distracting. You must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times.
Q5. Why are you not banning the use of hands-free mobile phones while driving?
Using any type of phone while driving is distracting.
Drivers should remember that the police can still use existing legislation (for failure to have proper control) if a driver is distracted by a call on a hands-free phone. If there is an incident and the driver is using any phone (hand-held or hands-free) or similar device, then there is a risk of prosecution for careless or dangerous driving.
Q6. Will mobile phones have to be switched off in vehicles?
No. Passengers may want to use them. And drivers can use them when they are safely parked.
Q7. What if the phone rings when I’m driving?
Let it ring and return the call when safely parked. Better to switch to voicemail before starting.
Q8. Who do the new regulations apply to?
The new regulations apply to the drivers of all motor vehicles on the road, including cars, motorcycles, goods vehicles, buses, coaches and taxis.
They also apply to anyone supervising a learner driver, while the learner driver is driving. Anyone supervising a learner driver needs to be concentrating on what the driver is doing and should not be using a mobile phone.
Q9. Do the new mobile phone regulations apply to cyclists?
No. However, the police have powers to deal with careless or dangerous cycling.
Q10. Can I use a hand-held mobile phone when stopped in a traffic jam?
The prohibition applies when driving. Driving includes times when stopped at traffic lights or during other hold-ups that may occur during a typical journey when a vehicle can be expected to move off after a short while.
In exceptional traffic jams, such as a lengthy stoppage on a motorway, it would be clear that someone wasn’t driving if the engine was off.
Q11. Are there any exemptions?
Yes. There is an exemption for calls to 999 (or 112) in genuine emergencies where it is unsafe or impractical to stop. There is also an exemption for the use of 2-way radios (see Q14 below).
Q12. Will I be able to cradle a phone between my ear and shoulder?
No. The offence applies if a phone has to be “held” while making or receiving a call. Therefore you should not hold a phone between your ear and shoulder - or anywhere else - when driving.
Q13. Are employers guilty of an offence if their employees use a hand-held phone while driving?
The new regulations apply to “anyone who causes or permits any other person” to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving.
The Department considers that employers would not be liable just because they supplied a telephone or because they phoned an employee who was driving. However, employers would probably be liable if they required their employees to use a hand-held phone while driving and might also be liable if they failed to forbid employees to use such phones on company business.
Q14. Will 2-way radios be included in the new offence?
The use of 2-way radio equipment (unless the device can also be used as a phone) when driving is not included in the new offence but remember there is still a risk of distraction and prosecution under other powers.
If a device is a dual or multi purpose device that can be used both as a mobile phone and a 2-way radio, the use of the device while driving or supervising a provisional licence holder is prohibited. Use is prohibited whether the device is being used as a 2-way radio or as a mobile phone.
Q15. If you prohibit using mobile phones, then surely you’ll have to stop people talking or tuning the radio? What powers do the police have?
We have no such intentions. There are many potential distractions while driving and it remains the driver’s responsibility to drive safely at all times. Research shows that it is more distracting to talk on a mobile phone than to have a conversation with a passenger who can see what is happening.
Q16. Is the offence endorsable?
No. The offence is subject to a £30 fixed penalty or maximum fine of £1000 for conviction in court (maximum of £2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles or buses/coaches.
However, we do plan to increase the penalty for the new offence by making it subject to 3 penalty points and a £60 fixed penalty. Primary legislation will be needed for this when a suitable opportunity arises to amend Schedule 2 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. We do not have a timetable for that yet.
Remember, in some circumstances, for example if there has been an accident, a prosecution for careless or dangerous driving may be justified if a phone was in use at the time of the crash. The penalties on conviction for such offences include heavy fines, endorsement, disqualification and, in serious cases, imprisonment.
Q17. Where can I go for more information?
You should seek independent legal advice if you are in doubt as to whether any particular action is prohibited by the regulations.
You may find the attached flowchart helpful. You may also like to see the letter we issued on 24 June 2003 on the results of consultation on our initial proposals for an offence of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving at:
The legislation is available at legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/s … 032695.htm Look for Statutory Instrument No 2695 - The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment)(No 4) Regulations 2003.
legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/s … 032695.htm
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2003 No. 2695
ROAD TRAFFIC
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2003
Made 20th October 2003
Laid before Parliament 27th October 2003
Coming into force 1st December 2003
The Secretary of State in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 41(1) and (5) of the Road Traffic Act 1988[1], and after consultation with representative organisations in accordance with section 195(2) of that Act, hereby makes the following Regulations:
Citation, commencement and interpretation
- These Regulations may be cited as the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2003 and shall come into force on 1st December 2003.
Amendment of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986
2. The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986[2] are amended by inserting after regulation 109 -
" Mobile telephones
110. - (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road if he is using -
(a) a hand-held mobile telephone; or
(b) a hand-held device of a kind specified in paragraph (4).
(2) No person shall cause or permit any other person to drive a motor vehicle on a road while that other person is using -
(a) a hand-held mobile telephone; or
(b) a hand-held device of a kind specified in paragraph (4).
(3) No person shall supervise a holder of a provisional licence if the person supervising is using -
(a) a hand-held mobile telephone; or
(b) a hand-held device of a kind specified in paragraph (4),
at a time when the provisional licence holder is driving a motor vehicle on a road.
(4) A device referred to in paragraphs (1)(b), (2)(b) and (3)(b) is a device, other than a two-way radio, which performs an interactive communication function by transmitting and receiving data.
(5) A person does not contravene a provision of this regulation if, at the time of the alleged contravention -
(a) he is using the telephone or other device to call the police, fire, ambulance or other emergency service on 112 or 999;
(b) he is acting in response to a genuine emergency; and
(c) it is unsafe or impracticable for him to cease driving in order to make the call (or, in the case of an alleged contravention of paragraph (3)(b), for the provisional licence holder to cease driving while the call was being made).
(6) For the purposes of this regulation -
(a) a mobile telephone or other device is to be treated as hand-held if it is, or must be, held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function;
(b) a person supervises the holder of a provisional licence if he does so pursuant to a condition imposed on that licence holder prescribed under section 97(3)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (grant of provisional licence);
(c) “interactive communication function” includes the following:
(i) sending or receiving oral or written messages;
(ii) sending or receiving facsimile documents;
(iii) sending or receiving still or moving images; and
(iv) providing access to the internet;
(d) “two-way radio” means any wireless telegraphy apparatus which is designed or adapted -
(i) for the purpose of transmitting and receiving spoken messages; and
(ii) to operate on any frequency other than 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; and
(e) “wireless telegraphy” has the same meaning as in section 19(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949[3]."
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State
David Jamieson
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Department for Transport
20th October 2003
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These regulations amend the Construction and Use Regulations 1986 by inserting a new regulation 110.
Regulations 110(1) and (2) prohibit a person from driving, or causing or permitting a person to drive, a motor vehicle on a road if the driver is using a hand-held mobile telephone or similar device. Regulation 110(3) prohibits a person from using a mobile telephone or similar device while supervising a holder of a provisional licence at a time when the provisional licence holder is driving a motor vehicle on a road. It is an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to contravene these regulations. Regulation 110(4) provides a definition of devices that are considered similar to hand-held mobile telephones for the purpose of these regulations. This definition excludes two-way radios.
Regulation 110(5) provides that in specific circumstances a person will not breach the regulation. Where a person makes a call to the emergency services on 999 or 112 in response to a genuine emergency where it is unsafe or impracticable for him (or the provisional licence holder) to cease driving while the call is being made, the regulation is not breached.
A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business is available from Road Safety Division, Zone 2/11, Department for Transport, Great Minister House, 76 Marsham Street SW1P 4DR, telephone 020 7944 2046, facsimile 020 7944 2029, email road.safety@dft.gsi.gov.uk. A copy has been placed in the library of both Houses of Parliament.
Notes: