Hang up and drive

Yesterday, I went to pull out of a road in Gillingham when I realised that there was a car coming, so I stopped. The driver of the car gave me the dirtiest look I’ve ever seen in my life.

Ordinarily I’d have accepted this – it was, after all, my duty to give way. However, I hastily returned the dirty look (and very nearly beeped at her) when I realised she had her phone glued to her ear.

This, of course, has technically always been illegal, on account of the fact it is essentially driving without due care and attention:

A person is to be regarded as driving without due care and attention if (and only if) the way he drives falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.

Road Traffic Act 1988, s. 3ZA, p. 2 (as amended by the Road Traffic Act 2006)

However, the government sought fit to specifically criminalise the use of hand-held mobile telephones etc., also via the Road Traffic Act 2006, adding the following:

A person who contravenes or fails to comply with a construction and use requirement?

(a) as to not driving a motor vehicle in a position which does not give proper control or a full view of the road and traffic ahead, or not causing or permitting the driving of a motor vehicle by another person in such a position, or

(b) as to not driving or supervising the driving of a motor vehicle while using a hand-held mobile telephone or other hand-held interactive communication device, or not causing or permitting the driving of a motor vehicle by another person using such a telephone or other device,

is guilty of an offence.

Road Traffic Act 1988, s. 41D (as amended by the Road Traffic Act 2006)

In case you are wondering what point I am getting to, I shall spell it out in plain English: driving whilst using your mobile phone is illegal, not legal, contrary to the laws of the land!

I fail to see why so many people seem to think it is acceptable behaviour when it is nothing short of criminal!

In fairness, though, the last word should go to Ray Stevens, with his opinion on the matter: