Is using navigation system in mobile phone is also offense ?

Question

what happened was i was using my mobile as navigation to reached at my place in london. while i was driving less then 5 miles per hour, touched my mobile (navigation, to have shortest route police officer who was walking over pavment stoped me and issue 3 points and fine of £60.00...!!!

tried to explained to him taht i'm using navigation sysytem and while doing to this my phone is also off-line but he was not listining to me.....

now i decided to go for court.

please some one can guide me as my concern is to void 3 points.. please help me.

Answer 1

Its a very good point, i am not sure but i think it is also illegal to operate sat nav on the move as well, at least that is what mine hints at when i turn it on, might be worth giving an appeal a go!

Answer 2

The offence is using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving a motor vehicle on a road or public place.

This is when you are USING your phone and that means USING your phone for anything.  Making a call, sending a text, videoing something, taking a photo, anything that requires you to press buttons on the phone.  This includes USING your phone for GPS navigation.

The law regarding using mobile phones has been in place since 01 December 2003.  That's nearly 5 years ago now.  Only recently (2007) has the penalty been increased to 3 points and a £60.00 fine as the message on not USING your mobile phone whilst driving was not getting through.

People are clearly still not getting the message.

Answer 3

There is no law against using a sat nav on the go...BS. I don't believe that...never read it. I've used it when cops were watching and seeing me use it...never said anything. I use proper sat navs though...I think some of them don't have anything better to do..to be honest.

Answer 4

Unfortunately the offence is using a hand held mobile phone whilst driving. The offence is complete whether you were talking, texting, gaming, internet browsing etc. The facts of the matter were that you were holding and using your phone. You were concentrating on your phone instead of the road.

If your phone had been sat in a cradle then that may be a different story.

If I were you I would accept the penalty as you would be found gulty anyway and the fine / points could end up as more.