Police Officer Details the Sole Legal Method for Phone Use While Driving
A police officer has officially confirmed that there is only one specific circumstance under which individuals can legally use their mobile phone while operating a vehicle. Sergeant Owen Messenger, a dedicated roads policing officer with Devon and Cornwall Police, has provided essential guidance to help drivers understand and comply with the law.
The Strict Rule Against Handheld Use
In a recent educational video shared on the TikTok account @GeorgesCarMedia, Sergeant Messenger addressed a common query about how to avoid penalties for phone use on roads and motorways. He emphasized a fundamental principle: you cannot use your phone while it is in your hand. This prohibition extends to even minor actions such as unlocking the screen, which alone constitutes an offence under current regulations.
Sergeant Messenger explained, "So the basic way to look at it is you cannot use it whilst it's in your hand. And so anything that you do with it whilst it's in your hand is the offence. That's even unlocking the screen or anything like that. You don't actually have to be using the phone; just unlocking the screen is enough to be committing that offence."
The Only Permissible Exception
The officer outlined the single legal exception for phone use while driving. Drivers may utilize their device for navigation purposes, such as GPS or sat-nav, but only if the phone is securely mounted in a holder. However, he strongly advised that if any interaction beyond basic navigation is required, such as changing destination settings, motorists should pull over to a safe location first.
Sergeant Messenger cautioned, "If you do absolutely need it for GPS or sat-nav or anything, you can have it in the holder and you can use it for that. But what I'd say is if you're actually going to touch the phone or use it for anything other than the navigation, then pull over in a safe place and then you can go into the use of the phone."
Severe Penalties for Violations
Motorists who are caught using their phone illegally while driving face significant consequences. Offenders can receive six penalty points on their driving licence along with a substantial £200 fine. These penalties are designed to deter dangerous behavior and enhance road safety for all users.
Clarification on Police Equipment Use
In the video, Sergeant Messenger anticipated questions about why police officers are permitted to use screens during their duties. He clarified that all police vehicle equipment undergoes strict approval processes to ensure it does not compromise safety. Police cars feature two operational modes—single crew or double crewed—which restrict access to certain functions based on whether the vehicle is moving and how many officers are present.
He elaborated, "All our kit inside the car has to go through approval for us to be able to use it in the vehicle. There are different settings for when we're moving and when we are not moving. So all our kit inside of here is relatively simple to use and doesn't affect our view of the road."
Additional Legal Considerations
Sergeant Messenger also highlighted that even with a phone in a holder, drivers can still face charges for other offences if they are distracted. For instance, looking down to adjust sat-nav settings instead of watching the road could lead to charges of not being in proper control of the vehicle or driving without due care and attention.
This comprehensive advice from a seasoned policing professional underscores the importance of adhering to mobile phone regulations to prevent accidents and legal repercussions. By following these guidelines, drivers can contribute to safer roads and avoid costly penalties.
