Driving on Britain’s roads is hazard enough in normal circumstances, however when people are not driving sensibly it can be lethal

At 30mph a vehicle will, on dry roads, take 23 metres to stop, 9 meters of which is thinking time – the time that it takes to appreciate a risk and apply the brakes. Even at 40 mph we are looking at 36 meters, 12 of which are thinking time. For Motorway driving at 70 mph the stopping distance is 96 meters of which 21 metres are thinking time. All of the above rely on the driver concentrating on what he/she is doing, and in ideal weather conditions. In the blink of an eye a vehicle will travel 9, 12 of 21 meters, should another vehicle be oncoming then the closing speed could be halved.

Allowing one’s mind to become preoccupied by something like a telephone conversation is dangerous beyond rational thought, and yet we see motorists including heavy good vehicle drivers using mobiles whilst driving on our roads in town and on the surrounding roads.

The Law says:

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile telephone whilst driving, this is Criminal Law for which the penalties are substantial.

This includes using a mobile to follow a route map on screen, or texting, or checking social media even whilst stationary at traffic lights.

In emergency situations, providing you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 and it is not possible to move the vehicle to safety.

The penalties for using a hand-held mobile include 3 points on your driving licence and a fine of £100. You will then have to pay more for your car insurance.

6 points in the first 2 years after passing the driving test will mean you lose your licence.

If caught driving whilst using a mobile with hands-free but not in control of the vehicle is also illegal, the same penalties will apply.

The penalties can include dis-qualification, plus a fine, and up to 2 years in prison if driving dangerously and using a mobile telephone.

The facts explain why,

It is well known that drivers using mobiles, even hands-free, have slower hazard perception and slower responses.

Even careful drivers can be caught out by being distracted by a caller or an incoming text, a second of distraction at 30, 40, or 70 mph is a blink of an eye. 44 feet per second is the distance covered at 30 mph.

Busy people do require telephony systems that are user friendly, allow fast response, can be used anywhere and are usable on the move, business and lives may depend on it. Obtaining professional advice from Diamond Solutions is a very smart move as they will advise on how to solve the problem safely and legally. 

Diamond Solutions are the experts in telecoms solutions, they can provide a wide range of hands-free solutions.