Experts are warning drivers that they might be making one big mistake that might lead to police action. It is not uncommon to use your phone instead of a satellite navigation, but it can lead to hefty fines and penalty points, experts warn.
Automotive experts at Car Audio Centre have urged drivers to familiarise themselves with rules concerning popular sat nav apps Waze and Google Maps on their phone. The law forbids holding a mobile phone while driving.
This can mean that users of such apps can tap on their phone screens if it is placed on a fixed mount. However, drivers can be charged by the police for careless driving if they believe that drivers are distracted.
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A spokesperson for Car Audio Centre said: “Most drivers are aware of the rules around holding mobile phones while driving to make calls, send texts, or browse the web. But there seems to be some confusion still when it comes to using driving apps, even when the phone is secured in a mount. Drivers can only legally use popular sat nav apps like Google Maps and Waze on mobile devices if the phone is operated hands-free only.”
Sat nav apps like Waze and Google Maps regularly send ‘pop-up’ notifications prompting drivers to tap the screen in order to change routes and identify congestions, speed limits, and speed cameras. However, according to the experts at Car Audio Centre, these alerts can put drivers at risk if they cause a distraction. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
A driver breaking the law can face up to six penalty points, and a £200 fine or lose their driving license if they have passed their driving test within the past two years. As per the rule 149 of the Highway Code, drivers must exercise proper control over their car at all times.
If the police think that a driver isn’t in control due to being distracted, they can stop them, leading to prosecution. Drivers need to be extra careful in future because new AI cameras are capable of capturing detailed footage inside vehicles, in all conditions, at deep angles, and can detect if drivers are using their phones indirectly.
Drivers who do not have a ‘hands-free’ option and want to manually respond to a sat nav alert or reprogram their route need to pull over and park safely to use their mobile phone legally. It should be noted that laws concerning the use of mobile phones are still in force even if your vehicle is stationary at traffic lights or stuck in traffic. However, exceptions to the rule include calling the emergency services when unable to stop and making a contactless payment at a drive-through while the car isn’t moving.