New car phone usage regulations

[WhipLash]

Anyone know the full details on this? Anyone know what the fine is? Is it a fixed fine or is that up to the Gardai? Apparently it will be introduced as a part of the penalty points system later this year.

I've heard that even the in-ear hands free kits are banned. Only the proper car-kits are now legal.

I also heard that you cannot have a phone on your person (not meaning to be rude!), or even close by.

I can see all types of mix-ups happening over this. People need to know for sure what they can and cannot do/have.

Has anyone read the official report on this, or know where is can be found online?

[littlefitzer]

Apparently the fine is 435 Euro for the first and second offences!!!
After that it's a month imprisonment and some nice penalty points!!!

[WhipLash]

Thanks for the info LF. :)

There’s some more info on the front page of eF (http://www.eforecourt.com) since I posted this.

So how do people feel about the new regulations? I agree with the banning of phone usage in general, but surely the headphone hands free kits should have been allowed?

Looks like the only ones rubbing their hands over this will be the car phone kit installers. :rolleyes:

[littlefitzer]

I'd say in theory it is a good idea alright!
But I just don't see how they are going to enforce it - speaking for myself I already thought it was illegal, so anytime I did see a Garda I just threw it down in the passenger seat!
As for wheather it will work - I doubt it. Decided to watch out for how many people I could spot on the phone while I was driving home from work yesterday and there were quite simply loads of them!! Doesn't seem to have made an ounce of difference!!

One thing I did think of though was: What if you were caught doing say 60 in a 50 zone by one of the speed cameras, and in the shot you could also clearly see that you were on the phone at the same time - would you get done for both???

[WhipLash]

You are dead right littlefitzer. I also noticed a considerable amount of drivers on the phone yesterday evening. People have been using mobiles while driving for so long now its just second nature. In fact, I'd imagine Irish drivers are quite skilled by now at talking on the phone while driving :D

I don't think that people will seriously consider the consequences of using their mobiles while driving. Thats not until the penalty points systems arrives and they start to clock up the points. That will really scare people into observing driving regulations IMHO, especially if Insurance companies start asking drivers how many points they currently have! I'd imagine most drivers will either drive with their mobiles turned off and check voice mail when they arrive at their destination, or get a proper phone kit installed into their car. But that scenario will take time, it won’t just happen overnight.


That’s a very good question about the speed camera's....I wonder can they legally catch you for both speeding and phone usage? Heh, better stick a CD on your phone now! :D

[Phil]

Just a question for yous. I always thought it was illegal to drive while using a handheld phone myself. So I got myself a hands free set. Now I heard on the radio today that handheld phones are illegal while driving. What about hands free, are they illegal to?

Do I have to get a car phone kit?

[littlefitzer]

The way I've heard and understand is that the kits with the little headphone for your ear ARE illegal!! The only kits that are allowed are the ones that actually use the car's speakers i.e. the expensive ones!!!!

[Phil]

Do you have a Nokia phone littlefitzer?

WRX SCOOBY is selling nokia car kits, brand new in boxs and fitted.

Here is the link.... (don't hit me Whip when you see the link!) (http://www.cruiseirl.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=181)

[littlefitzer]

Thanks anyway but no....I've only got a crappy Panasonic!!!

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by Phil
Do you have a Nokia phone littlefitzer?

WRX SCOOBY is selling nokia car kits, brand new in boxs and fitted.

Here is the link.... (don't hit me Whip when you see the link!) (http://www.cruiseirl.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=181)

LOL...why, whats wrong with the link Phil? :confused:

Not that I have a Nokia either (also Panasonic :rolleyes: ), but what type of ballpark figure are we talking about for a complete hands free kit then?

[WhipLash]

Apparently the Gardai aren't enforcing these new regulations yet.

According to Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne, the new legislation has been referred to the Attorney General for clarification. Its been said that it will be a couple of weeks yet before it will be enforced.

On another note, yesterday I heard an ad on the radio from Cellular Communications. It was advertising a new special phone number they had set up for information on the installation of car phone kits. Didn't take them long to jump on the bandwagon, did it?!

[Phil]

Originally posted by WhipLash
On another note, yesterday I heard an ad on the radio from Cellular Communications. It was advertising a new special phone number they had set up for information on the installation of car phone kits. Didn't take them long to jump on the bandwagon, did it?!

Hey Whip, you manage to get the phone number, or does anyone else know?

[WhipLash]

Here's a cheap solution!

For Nokia mobiles (3210, 3310, 3330, 6510, 8210 and 8310), you can get a cheap plug and play hands free kit. This plugs into your cigarette lighter socket, will charge the phone, and has a built in speaker. The price is €89.00 (IR£70.10).

There's also a separate phone cradle which is self adhesive and does not require screws or bolts. That costs €19.00 (IR£14.96).

So thats a total DIY solution for €108 (£85.06) that you can easily install yourself. And big advantage is that you can take it with you when you change your car.

For a full car kit solution (kit, installation, and antenna) you will pay around €259.00 (IR£203.99)!

More information can be found on http://www.cellularworld.ie (click on Special Offers, then Car Kits)

[Phil]

As far as I know, a friend of mine got a system like that for a nokia phone with cradle and speaker for under €50 down the country. I must check with him to see what the price was.

[Phil]

Now was just talking to my friend, and he said he got the system for €20 on Henry Street.

He saids that its no good now because you have to have a intergated phone in your car. Anything else is illgeal. (handsfree sets etc ). This is according to AA roadwatch on the radio today and I think there is a article in one of the papers today aswell.

I wonder was there a nice back hander to the goverment from the phone companies. :mad:

[lfcfan]

There's a full page ad in The Star newspaper nearly everyday advertising a hands free kit that plugs into your cigerette lighter and there's a speaker etc. I bought one and for the price (around $45) it's not bad but it's a pain in the ass. Bloody wire hangind down gets in the way and sometimes the sound is ****e and there can be an echo. Trying to use the bloody thing sometimes is more dangerous than using your hands.

[Phil]

To be honest lfcfan, i think its a matter of you get what you pay for. I hoping to get the real deal of my brothers friend for under €150. Fingers crossed

[WhipLash]

I suppose its all down to how much you expect to use your mobile while on the move. If you use it a lot, then the proper hands free kit would be the one to go for. But if you’ll only be using it now and again, then the cheaper solution, limitations aside, might be the best bet.

Lfcfan, is the ad placed by a Communications outlet or is it just a mail-order ad?

[lfcfan]

It's actually an Ortopedic Bed company that are selling them. When you get the thing there's a brochure for beds with it. Weird. They obviously got a **** load of them cheap.

[SpyCamera]

Good to see that the site is still here....

Are the Gardai enforcing these new regulations yet?
Since the ban has anyone come across any good deals for the real in car phone sets?

Good to be back.

Later Spy.