Am I allowed to use phone as sat-nav?
I wonder if you could help me clarify if I am allowed to use my phone sat-nav whilst riding my bike? It is in a holder fixed to the bike so is not being touched in any way and instructions are blue toothed to my helmet. Is this allowed?
Brian from Diss
Answer
The starting point is section 104 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states “No person shall drive or cause or permit any other person to drive, a motor vehicle on a road if he is in such a position that he cannot have proper control of the vehicle or have a full view of the road and traffic ahead.”
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No 4) Regulations 2003 amended the above to prohibit a person from driving a motor vehicle on a road if the driver is using a held-hand mobile telephone or a hand-held device for an interactive communication function.
I would say that you are fine to use the sat-nav as you describe as long as you don’t touch the device whilst riding. Even an individual stopped at a traffic light or held up in traffic could be prosecuted for a mobile phone offence. However, prosecutors will consider that the intention of the legislation is to promote road safety. They should ask themselves whether the use of the phone or other device is in circumstances which might prejudice the driver’s ability to drive safely.
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