Caravan Guard Insurance Blog

Setting out on your next caravan or motorhome trip?

What you should know about using mobile phones whilst driving

The laws are constantly being updated when it comes to using your mobile phone whilst driving. It has become somewhat of a grey area as to whether it is illegal or not to use mobiles with hands-free kits, or whether it’s ok to make a call when your vehicle is stationary. It’s certainly worth knowing the facts before setting out on any trips in your caravan or motorhome.

On the use of hands-free kits, the Department for Transport’s website states: “if you drive poorly because you are distracted by a phone conversation for example, then the police can prosecute for failing to have proper control of the vehicle. The same penalty applies as for hand-held phones – 3 points and a £60 fine.”

With this in mind, using a mobile phone whilst your motorhome or towing outfit is stationary may seem like the safest option, but this could also be illegal. The DfT states that even if you are stopped at traffic lights or in a traffic hold-up, you are still technically ‘driving’ the vehicle as you are on a road. (A ‘road’ being “legally defined as any road to which the public have access, this includes a car park”).

For more information visit the Department of Transport’s website.

The safest thing to do, would be to switch off your mobile phone before setting off on your journey and avoid the temptation to answer that call!