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Mobile Phone use while driving - Liphook Dad (16th Sep 2025  10:02:00) If you know a lady who drives a Red VW Up and was in Liphook this morning, please can you let them know that it's not great to stop your car in the road way at the narrowest point (leaving the car park next to the old Lloyds Bank) in the middle of the school run and be on your phone. Not to mention it being illegal to be in control of a vehicle and using your mobile phone. The fact that the car rolled back as we were about to pass and could have hit my kids wasn't great either. So you can see why I wasn't happy with the situation and had to get their attention. "I wasn't driving" doesn't cut it I'm afraid, your awareness was dramatically and demonstrably impaired. And yes, we needed to pass as I had no idea how long they were going to be stopped for - even if we had waited the teenagers going to Bohunt wouldn't have. Simple message: Do not use your phone whilst in control of a vehicle. Go and park up properly if you need to send a message. I also spotted another driver coming up the Longmoor Road with kids in their car also messaging on their phone! Just stop it!

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - D (16th Sep 2025  11:33:29) The way of the country these days unfortunately, no-one wants to abide by rules. Look how many were flouting the COVID laws five years ago. Personally I'm more concerned about parents placing their children in supermarket trollies and parading them around oblivious to the obvious hygiene issue. It's only the parents who think the sun shines out of their offspring's arse, no-one else.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - C (16th Sep 2025  15:15:52) Nothing makes me more livid than people using their phone when they're driving and I see it every single day without exception. For the avoidance of doubt, it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device when the engine is on, EVEN if the car is stopped at traffic lights or in traffic,or if it has a start/stop engine function. There is not one single excuse for using a phone when driving. Even in an emergency, pull up and park and turn the engine off. It's utterly irresponsible and selfish.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - PR (16th Sep 2025  16:54:27) Great postings all of you - so fed up with shitty kids in supermarket trolleys - totally unhygenic .... I recently had an encounter, while walking my Collie , with a Yummy Mummy carrying her baby in a sling with two of her own large dogs in tow - no poo bags in sight - who took exception to my docile sheepdog Her comment - ' Stay away, I've got a lickle baby ' My reply - that's OK we are vegetarians - Happy days !!

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - D (16th Sep 2025  17:27:02) Thankyou for your support, PR. I recently made a quiet comment to a similar mother in Sainsbury's of "how unhygienic is that". I've never seen such an evil look in my life, if looks could kill.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - PR (16th Sep 2025  18:01:26) D - Yes, well you are completely right - I am not anti baby but shitty pants and shoes in a trolley are gross. I pick up my dog's poo - all of it Why do some people with children think they are immune from behaving in a social manner ... In contrast the same as those who park in ' People With Children Spaces ' who clearly don't have a child ... I always ask them - ' Forgotten the baby ' Yeah - let's moan on ....

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - D (16th Sep 2025  18:53:48) Quite agree, PR. My gripe is with the ignorant self entitled parents. I'm going to start a campaign called "STOP HAVING INFANTS in TROLLIES".

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - er (16th Sep 2025  22:46:54) C, having your engine off is no defence in terms of the offence of 'holding and using your phone whilst driving' Driving is the key, being anytime at all that you are behind the wheel of a motorcar on a public highway, except when parked up in a lawful parking spot where there can be no reasonable expectation that you would be required to move at any point, so even if you are stuck at say a railway crossing and the barrier is down, in neutral, handbrake on, engine off, you cannot hold and use your phone, it is an offence, on or off. But there's no offence as you suggested of using your phone whilst driving, at least there is no offence that says it is illegal to use your phone whilst driving, you can in theory use it whilst doing 100 on the motorway, or more (you may however be prosecuted for speeding or careless driving, but you won't be prosecuted for phone use!)...as long as it's in a phone holder and you don't need to hold it at all! The offence is therefore purely 'holding and using your phone whilst driving', nothing more, nothing less. Pedantic moment over!

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - Jon (17th Sep 2025  07:36:44) Good, albeit as you say pedantic, point er. It’s about time the offence had the same penalties as drink driving.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - Jon (17th Sep 2025  08:04:38) D, I’d rather be bumped by a supermarket trolley with a kid on board, than being run over by a driver paying more attention to their mobile phone than their driving. This post is about mobile phone use not supermarket trollies.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - C (17th Sep 2025  09:02:21) er - not sure of your point. I am fully against mobile phone use in the car!

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - Charlie (17th Sep 2025  10:43:30) PR I loved your posts. The last sentences made me smile.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - D (17th Sep 2025  17:07:42) Jon, I'm using the issue of children riding in supermarket trollies as an example of how we live in an age where little consideration is given to other people. Just as parents aren't bothered about the hygiene risks to the next person to use their trolley (who may be immuno suppressed as a result of cancer treatment ) after their child has been sitting in it defacating in their nappy and farting, the same parent isn't going to give a monkey's about running you over so long as they keep their licence.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - Paul2 (18th Sep 2025  15:22:33) We need to normalise telling people to get their kids out of shopping trolleys.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - D (18th Sep 2025  16:14:55) Paul2, I did raise the matter in Sainsbury's recently only to be told they turn a blind eye to it for fear of losing customers. I'll get a mate to push me round in a trolley and see what happens, if I'm challenged by staff I shall claim age discrimination.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - C (18th Sep 2025  19:09:28) To er It is illegal to touch your phone while driving. Detailed information from gov.uk Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle. This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. For example, you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web. The law still applies to you if you’re: stopped at traffic lights queuing in traffic supervising a learner driver driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode Exceptions You can use a device held in your hand if: you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop you’re safely parked you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-through restaurant you’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely Using devices hands-free You can use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage. Hands-free access means using, for example: a Bluetooth headset voice command a dashboard holder or mat a windscreen mount a built-in sat nav The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead. Staying in full control of your vehicle You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted. Penalties You can get 6 penalty points and a ÂŁ200 fine if you hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle. You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last 2 years. You can get 3 penalty points if you do not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle. You can also be taken to court where you can: be banned from driving or riding get a maximum fine of ÂŁ1,000 (ÂŁ2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus)

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - Jon (19th Sep 2025  08:46:39) I do think the law should also apply to cyclists.

Re: Mobile Phone use while driving - D (19th Sep 2025  09:05:59) Agree absolutely, Jon. They should also have insurance and a registration number displayed.

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