HEALTH AND SAFETY NOTICE
Mobile Telephones and Driving
An imminent change in road vehicle legislation will come into effect on 1 Dec 2003. This change deals
with the use of mobile telephones and other hand-held communications devices in vehicles (“other
devices” can be personal organisers, palm pilots, radar and camera detectors etc).
It will only be permissible for a driver to use a mobile phone on the road when the engine is switched
off, or when making a genuine emergency 999 call and it is not safe or practicable to stop.
From the 1 Dec 2003 it will be an offence to use a hand-held mobile phone or other similar devices,
whilst driving a car, van, minibus, or lorry etc. The penalty is an on the spot fine of £30. This can be
increased by a court to a maximum of £1000, or £2,500 for drivers of vans, lorries buses and coaches.
You may also be prosecuted for using a hands free set if you fail to have proper control of your vehicle.
Drive carelessly or dangerously when using any type of phone and the penalties can include
disqualification, a large fine, and up to two years imprisonment.
How to Comply
The following advice is aimed at university staff driving university vehicles, their own or a hired vehicle
while on university business.
Ensure that you are not distracted by your mobile phone or other equipment when driving, ignore the
phone when it rings, or switch it off before starting the vehicle. Use the phone only when safely parked
with the engine switched off.
The regulations apply to “anyone who causes or permits any other person to use a hand-held mobile
phone while driving”. Therefore university managers should ensure that staff are not required to answer
mobile phones whilst driving vehicles, and that staff know to make calls from vehicles only when safely
parked with the engine switched off. Alternative systems such as voice mail, message services or call
diversions should be used. Hands free sets are legal, but do not guarantee freedom from prosecution,
particularly if the vehicle is involved in an accident due to the possibility of driver distraction resulting in
careless or dangerous driving.
Health and Safety Unit
19/11/03