NEWS UK companies and mobile workers are being urged to ensure they are ready to comply with strict new legislation governing the use of mobile phones in cars.
Laws coming into effect on 1 December will make it illegal for drivers to use handheld mobile phones while driving and companies whose staff are mobile are being advised to do what they can to ensure they aren't breaking the law.
Part of the issue is a lack of awareness of the change in the law. Research commissioned by mobile phone headset manufacturer JABRA has revealed 40 per cent of mobile users do not know about the imminent change in the law - the first some hear about it may be when they are pulled over for chatting into their handset behind the wheel. And the penalties will be harsh, with fines of up to £1,000.
The JABRA research also revealed that 12 per cent of drivers are required to use their phones while driving for work purposes, yet 62 per cent of these are not provided with handsfree technology by their employers - suggesting many bosses are encouraging staff to break the law.
Many companies who rely on a mobile workforce have already started to roll out handsfree technology but many are lagging behind, meaning their employees will either be breaking the law or off the phone come December.
Anthony McKay, MD of Telephonetics, which makes voice-activated mobile phone technology, said: "Companies should be doing whatever they realistically can to look after their employees. Anybody with a salesforce out on the road, for example, should be doing all they can to ensure their staff comply with this legislation."
He added that if companies don't act before the December deadline they could be "on very shaky ground".
Telephonetics has already struck a deal with the BBC to provide voice-activated phone coverage for 30,000 employees of the broadcaster and MacKay expects the pressing legislation to be a factor in other companies adopting similar systems.
However, MacKay admitted concerns that it is only the fear of legal action, rather than the widely acknowledged risks of driving while using a handheld phone, that has sparked many companies into action.
Last week Nokia announced new hands-free technology for in-car use, ahead of next month's deadline. Microsoft yesterday also announced a raft of voice controlled applications - most notably voice recognition software to control the handsfree use of mobile phones.
Comments
There are 14 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
I think you'll find that the law isn't changing, just the wording of some existing legislation. It is already illegal to drive whilst holding and speaking into your mobile phone - failure to be in full control of the vehicle - which is already punishable by a min. of 3 points and upto £1000 fine. You can drive with a hands free kit that can be answered by the touch of a button under the new ligislation otherwise using the car stereo would also be illegal!!
2. anonymous
This article doesn't answer the question and is confusing. It implies that you can't touch your phone whilst driving but then discusses hands free kits. (Ed note. You seem a little confused yourself. What does hands free mean to you?)
p.s. like the new website, not. I wonder if you could make it load up any more slowly - and I'm on a corp.lan
3. anonymous
It might be helpful to refer to the Department for Transport's own FAQ on the subject. This gives (a little more) clarification on the subject of hands-free/hand-held:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/page/dft_rdsafety_025216.hcsp
4. anonymous
Surely it would be easy and inexpensive for providers like Orange etc. to send a text message to all users reminding them of the impending ban?!
5. James Robinson
We are offering a free mobile phones and driving checklist and memo to send to staff, on our website.
These are available at www.exemplas.com/peoplemanager
There is no catch and we are not trying to sell anything like hands-free KITs.
6. Dave Roberts
This is all showing what a joke the changes to the law are. Everyone is rushing off to provide hands-free capability when that is at least as dangerous as the hands held. The consultation process acknowledged this but rejected new law on the grounds that the police could not detect the use of hands free sets.
7. RP
How does this new law affect Bluetooth headsets?
8. Brian Smith
Surely this kind of article doesnt answer the concerns of the use of mobiles when on the move. Hand held only leaves an extra hand. It doesnt do away with actual concentration sapping conversations.
9. anonymous
I have seen police officers using hand held phones. Are they exempt from the law or we going to see some fun and games in the courts? Who's going to shop a cop?
10. Mike Taylor
How does this affect emergency vehicles when only the driver is present and also taxi drivers.
MWT
11. Nuno Garcia
A law like this is already efective for several years in countrys throughout Europe, like Portugal.
I only wonder how come in UK it's beeing set only now.
Driving and talking on the phone is really dangerous (some experts say attention decreases as much as 40%).
But then again, driving and talking is almost as dangerous as driving and smoking, or doing other things that make you look inside the car and take your eyes off the road.
12. anonymous
What new law? Would be nice if you mentioned what it was or perhaps gave the reader a link to it. Thanks to the above reader for giving us a link!
13. anonymous
Do you find it easy to pat your head and rub your tummy anticlockwise at the same time? No, neither do I. The same goes for having (for example) a sales meeting and driving at 70mph on the M25 or wherever. This is non-negotiable- you can focus on one or the other, not both. Please- if you are driving and concentrating on your conversation- you are not in control of your vehicle. It doesn't matter if you have hands free or bluetooth, this has nothing to do with the fact that if you are concentrating on a conversation you are not concentrating on the road conditions. Get real- if you have to talk, find somewhere to stop and get a coffee or whatever and focus on your conversation. It will be a more effective conversation. And you may end up not being- or causing someone else to be- a road traffic accident statistic. A challenge: all those employers who have made/are about to make talking whilst driving-with or without handsfree/bluetooth or any other excuse- a disciplinary offence- say so! Lead the way.
14. anonymous
As far as I can see, police drivers are exempt from all traffic laws. That's the impression I get anyway.