walkie talkie question

[Darran]

Hi this may have been asked before but i couldnt see it so....
can i use walkie talkies on the road while driving.
cheers

[Ross]

It depends on the frequency they operate on - this allows cops/taxi drivers/paramedics/firemen etc etc to use radios when driving.

[Ross]

Mobile telephones

110.—(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road if he is using—

(a) a hand-held mobile telephone, or

(b) a hand-held device of a kind specified in paragraph (4).

(2) No person shall cause or permit any other person to drive a motor vehicle on a road while that other person is using—

(a) a hand-held mobile telephone, or

(b) a hand-held device of a kind specified in paragraph (4).

(3) No person shall supervise a holder of a provisional licence if the person supervising is using—

(a) a hand-held mobile telephone, or

(b) a hand-held device of a kind specified in paragraph (4),

at a time when the provisional licence holder is driving a motor vehicle on a road.

(4) A device referred to in paragraphs (1)(b), (2)(b) and (3)(b) is a device, other than a two-way radio, which performs an interactive communication function by transmitting and receiving data.

(5) A person does not contravene a provision of this regulation if, at the time of the alleged contravention—

(a) he is using the telephone or other device to call the police, fire, ambulance or other emergency service on 112 or 999;

(b) he is acting in response to a genuine emergency; and

(c) it is unsafe or impracticable for him to cease driving in order to make the call (or, in the case of an alleged contravention of paragraph (3)(b), for the provisional licence holder to cease driving while the call was being made).

(6) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) a mobile telephone or other device is to be treated as hand-held if it is, or must be, held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function;

(b) a person supervises the holder of a provisional licence if he does so pursuant to a condition imposed on that licence holder prescribed under section 97(3)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (grant of provisional licence);

(c) “interactive communication function” includes the following:

(i) sending or receiving oral or written messages;

(ii) sending or receiving facsimile documents;

(iii) sending or receiving still or moving images; and

(iv) providing access to the internet;

(d) “two–way radio” means any wireless telegraphy apparatus which is designed or adapted—

(i) for the purpose of transmitting and receiving spoken messages; and

(ii) to operate on any frequency other than 880 MHz to 915 MHz, 925 MHz to 960 MHz, 1710 MHz to 1785 MHz, 1805 MHz to 1880 MHz, 1900 MHz to 1980 MHz or 2110MHz to 2170 MHz; and

(e) “wireless telegraphy” has the same meaning as in section 19(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949(3).”

[Basemetal]

What about the hands on wheel /control of vehicle issues like mobile phones?

Edit -your second post came thro while I was typing that one Ross.

[BorderReiver]

Ross,the Radio Society of Great Britain seems to think that the law only allows the use of a fist mike.
Reading your excellent listing,it seems to me that a Handheld radio is equally allowable.
Or am I getting confused :huh:

[Ross]

Fist mike is certainly safer, I transmit from the radio directly which is mounted on my stab vest, I dont have to hold it.

From the Road Traffic Act, it would appear that 'hand-held' would be the key, a fist mike is OK, holding the radio doesnt appear to be.

[BorderReiver]

Fist mike is certainly safer, I transmit from the radio directly which is mounted on my stab vest, I dont have to hold it.

From the Road Traffic Act, it would appear that 'hand-held' would be the key, a fist mike is OK, holding the radio doesnt appear to be.

Cheers Ross.

It might be worth pointing out to the folks that if an accident occurs because of the use of the "legal" radio they can be charged with an offence.

[Stew]

You can get Walkie Talkies that operate with VOX.

[Darran]

I clip the walkie to the top of me shirt and just use the ptt but without detaching it from me shirt.The bloke at work said it's fine as he uses his c.b and me walkie is smaller than his fist mike.I thought i'd ask here as the "bloke at work" defence dont sound to good.
cheers

[Ross]

Sounds like he's right to me, I've only ever given tickets to people who have been on mobiles and who dont see me when I'm right behind them.....

[BorderReiver]

You can get Walkie Talkies that operate with VOX.

Got one.Unfortunately a car is a bit of a noisy environment.

There is always the risk of transmitting shouted advice to other drivers :O :D

[Andy]

Cheers Ross.

It might be worth pointing out to the folks that if an accident occurs because of the use of the "legal" radio they can be charged with an offence.
wouldn't it be the same as loosing concentration by tuning the radio or eating etc?

[Ross]

Exactly, Careless or inconsiderate driving.

[BorderReiver]

wouldn't it be the same as loosing concentration by tuning the radio or eating etc?

Yep,same difference. :D

Driving without due care,or if serious injury or death are caused,a much more serious charge.

Few people seem to realise that driving a car is the only way that most of us get a chance to kill or maim our fellow men.

Think about it.

[mirage]

Don't use any sort of comms device while you're driving, even hands-free ones. It's no use having your hands connected to the wheel if your brain isn't connected to your hands.

"Research shows that people using a phone while driving are four times more likely to have an accident, says the government."

"The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) welcomed the announcement and warned that thousands of accidents had been caused by people talking on the phone, including 20 deaths. Hands-free phones were being used in at least two of those tragedies."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3015610.stm

"Talking on a mobile phone while driving is more dangerous than being over the legal alcohol limit, according to research.
Tests by scientists at the Transport Research Laboratory said drivers on mobiles had slower reaction times and stopping times than those under the influence of alcohol.

And it said hands-free kits were almost as dangerous as hand-held phones."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1885775.stm

mirage