mobiles and driving
Not only a bad idea, it’s also illegal to use a mobile or any hand-held device while you’re driving. From 2007, the penalties are a minimum £60 fine and three penalty points. All you need to do is be using a mobile behind the wheel, with the engine running.
You can use a hands-free kit, though there’s evidence to suggest it doesn't reduce the risk of an accident. It’s safer not to use your mobile at all when you’re driving.
If there is an incident, and you’ve been using your mobile, you could be charged with careless or dangerous driving. Police can check mobile records to see if anyone was using a mobile at the time of an accident.
Music players, too, aren’t a good idea when driving. If you can’t hear above the music it will degrade your situational awareness – you may not hear another vehicle’s horn, or a shouted warning.
Driving advice
- Never use a mobile without a hands-free kit when you’re driving.
- Even if you’re using a hands-free kit, it’s safer to suggest you’ll call someone back, and do it when you’ve stopped driving.
- Don’t ride a bicycle or scooter with music playing so loud you can’t hear other traffic.
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mobile devices and theft
More and more people carry mobile phones and MP3 players. They’re small, easy to resell and have a relatively high value. Because of this, levels of theft remain quite high. Children and young people form the majority of both victims and perpetrators.
mobiles on foot and cycling
We’re used to using all our senses when we’re out and about, whether we’re walking or cycling. When we’re talking on a mobile, we’re not really listening to the world around us, or generally paying as much attention as usual.
street safety - talking points for children
Here are some suggestions to get children and new drivers thinking about using their mobile safely when they’re out and about, driving, cycling or walking.
where to next?
For Orange’s online teaching resource on staying safe with mobiles, click here. To view our short film click here.