Whilst I have absolutely no issue with it being illegal to use mobile phones whilst driving, unless hands-free, it does seem as though 'driving' needs to be better defined. We don't seem to be clear what it actually is.
The issue of the truck driver stuck in a long m'way hold up compared to a car driver is confusing. Since the truck driver can deem such a hold up as 'dead time' not to be counted on his tachograph as part of his allowable driving hours means that he is thus not driving at that time. So if not driving and not moving, he must, logically, be parked and thus able to legally use his phone whilst sitting in his vehicle. A car driver in the same situation is, or so we believe, not allowed to use his phone, even if stopped right behind the truck.
This makes no sense, well it doesn't to me anyway. How making/receiving a call or sending a text whilst stuck on a motorway can be dangerous is hard to comprehend. If the traffic starts to move and the driver starts his/her engine, then the mobile phone law should again apply, both to truck and car drivers.
I doubt that the Old Bill are even aware of the difference between a truck driver and a car driver in terms of what constitutes 'driving' when stuck in a long traffic jam.
