Using your cell phone while driving

[We Never Know]

I see many videos of people using their cell phone camera while driving. Filming scenery, their drive, etc etc. (many always turn the phone toward them and film themselves)
Are they filming themselves committing an illegal act and could that cell phone footage be used to convict them?

"As of April 2022, talking on a handheld cell phone while driving is banned in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories."

Cell Phone Driving Laws by State 2024

worldpopulationreview.com

 

[Secret Chief]

Long since illegal in the UK...

"The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No 4) Regulations 2003 came into force on 1 December 2003. They amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, by inserting Regulation 110 into the constructions and use regulations.

Regulation 110(1) and (2) prohibits a person from driving, or causing or permitting a person to drive, 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. Regulation 110(3) prohibits a person from using a hand-held mobile telephone or hand-held device while supervising a holder of a provisional license (learner driver), whilst the learner is driving.

It is an offence under Section 41D(b) of the RTA to contravene Regulation 110. The penalty imposed will depend upon the type of vehicle driven."

- Road Traffic: Mobile phones | The Crown Prosecution Service

 

[Stevicus]

I see many videos of people using their cell phone camera while driving. Filming scenery, their drive, etc etc. (many always turn the phone toward them and film themselves)
Are they filming themselves committing an illegal act and could that cell phone footage be used to convict them?

"As of April 2022, talking on a handheld cell phone while driving is banned in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories."

Cell Phone Driving Laws by State 2024

worldpopulationreview.com

It's illegal in my state to talk or text on a cellphone, unless you do it hands-free. It's distracting and dangerous.

Someone proposed a similar rule against eating while driving, but that didn't pass.

 

[Heyo]

I see many videos of people using their cell phone camera while driving. Filming scenery, their drive, etc etc. (many always turn the phone toward them and film themselves)
Are they filming themselves committing an illegal act and could that cell phone footage be used to convict them?

"As of April 2022, talking on a handheld cell phone while driving is banned in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories."

Cell Phone Driving Laws by State 2024

worldpopulationreview.com

I'm not sure I get what they are saying. Sometimes they speak of "handheld" and other times of "cell phones".
In Germany you are not allowed to hold a phone in your hand and use it while driving but it is perfectly OK to use it hands free. I have a mountpoint on my dashboard where I can use it as a telephone, hands free but I prefer not to. But I also use mine as a satnav.

 

[Secret Chief]

I'm not sure I get what they are saying. Sometimes they speak of "handheld" and other times of "cell phones".
In Germany you are not allowed to hold a phone in your hand and use it while driving but it is perfectly OK to use it hands free. I have a mountpoint on my dashboard where I can use it as a telephone, hands free but I prefer not to. But I also use mine as a satnav.

In the UK there is a distinction:

- Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving

 

[Stevicus]

 

[ChristineM]

In France it is illegal for a driver to use a mobile phone, even hands free.

Edit.
Although a driver may not use a phone there are many drivers, particularly delivery drivers, who do ignore the law. It's kind of frightening when white van man holding phone to his ear comes speeding up behind you.

 

[John53]

It's illegal to touch your phone while driving in Australia. You can use hands free.

 

[Audie]

I see many videos of people using their cell phone camera while driving. Filming scenery, their drive, etc etc. (many always turn the phone toward them and film themselves)
Are they filming themselves committing an illegal act and could that cell phone footage be used to convict them?

"As of April 2022, talking on a handheld cell phone while driving is banned in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories."

Cell Phone Driving Laws by State 2024

worldpopulationreview.com

I don't drive

 

[ChristineM]

I don't drive

That solves many phone related problems

 

[Viker]

From someone who often operates a motorcycle, I am in opposition to use of a cellphone manually (in particular). It can also be pointed out that handsfree use of a cellphone can be distracting and potentially dangerous.

When approaching this topic, think like a motorcyclist.

 

[Audie]

That solves many phone related problems

You try driving in NYC, HK, or S'PORE!

 

[exchemist]

In the company I worked for (Shell), using a phone while driving was a sacking offence, whether hand held or hands free, on the basis that it was a dangerous distraction, regardless of whether your hands were involved or not. The rule was "engine on, phone off", i.e. you had to turn the phone off completely while the engine was running.

Company lost time injury stats showed that, notwithstanding all the oil and gas platforms, refineries etc full of explosive material, by far the most risky activity on company time was driving - followed by slips, trips and falls in offices.

Now that I am retired, I don't always turn the phone off when driving, but I never react to it. And I no longer listen to music while driving either - too distracting. But it's true the roads in the UK are very crowded, compared to many other countries, so you always need to keep your eyes peeled.

 

[Audie]

From someone who often operates a motorcycle, I am in opposition to use of a cellphone manually (in particular). It can also be pointed out that handsfree use of a cellphone can be distracting and potentially dangerous.

When approaching this topic, think like a motorcyclist.

 

[Viker]

I see many videos of people using their cell phone camera while driving. Filming scenery, their drive, etc etc. (many always turn the phone toward them and film themselves)
Are they filming themselves committing an illegal act and could that cell phone footage be used to convict them?

This really depends on that person's local/state laws. If they are manually doing all that then yes. If they have their phone fixed (like a GoPro camera) in a position and keep it there, it may depend, no.

 

[ChristineM]

You try driving in NYC, HK, or S'PORE!

Driven in Rome and Naples, Atlanta, New Orleans, San Francisco, London, Paris Chennai, Moscow.

I reckon Naples was the worst.

If HK and Singapore are as bad or worse, you choose wisely by not driving

 

[Subduction Zone]

I'm not sure I get what they are saying. Sometimes they speak of "handheld" and other times of "cell phones".
In Germany you are not allowed to hold a phone in your hand and use it while driving but it is perfectly OK to use it hands free. I have a mountpoint on my dashboard where I can use it as a telephone, hands free but I prefer not to. But I also use mine as a satnav.

In the US a mobile phone is called a cell phone due to the original networks when they were first sold. The laws ban using a handheld cell phone. Many phones work by voice command these days. Ones mounted as you described would be legal.

But as bad as talking on a hand held cell phone is, it is ten times worse to text by hand. And quite a few young people were doing that at one point in this country. There were even studies done that showed that texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving.

 

[Subduction Zone]

From someone who often operates a motorcycle, I am in opposition to use of a cellphone manually (in particular). It can also be pointed out that handsfree use of a cellphone can be distracting and potentially dangerous.

When approaching this topic, think like a motorcyclist.

What? You mean worrying about old men wearing hats?

 

[Viker]

You try driving in NYC, HK, or S'PORE!

I've been to NYC, once by car, once by motorcycle. Both times were a monumental headache.

 

[We Never Know]

I see many videos of people using their cell phone camera while driving. Filming scenery, their drive, etc etc. (many always turn the phone toward them and film themselves)
Are they filming themselves committing an illegal act and could that cell phone footage be used to convict them?

"As of April 2022, talking on a handheld cell phone while driving is banned in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories."

Cell Phone Driving Laws by State 2024

worldpopulationreview.com

Most videos I see are from them holding the cell phone in camera mode and panning it around(even to themselves)


So...I using a cell phone (manually by hand) is illegal in a state, "Are they filming themselves committing an illegal act and could that cell phone footage be used to convict them?"