Hands free kits - what's the law exactly?

[Ceri JC]

I've just taken delivery of a new Blackberry and am a bit bemused to find an old fashioned 'wired in' headset with a 'push to pick up' button on it included in the in-box accessories as I was under the impression these were now illegal to use in cars?

This got me thinking about what types of headsets (if any) are permitted. A bit of googling reveals all sorts of conflicting information, the only general consensus seems to be that if you have to press a button (even if only once, to pick up) it's illegal. Even my bluetooth headset, which I've not used in years, requires you to click a button to answer. Presumably this renders it illegal?

Even my mate's fancy factory-fitted in-car bluetooth system requires him to press a button to initiate voice dialling or answer a call. Are these sort of systems somehow exempt (and if not, why are they allowed to sell them)?

I'm a bit confused and would appreciate if someone could briefly summarise exactly which types of hands free kits are illegal and which are not.

There's a huge amount of misinformation and conflicting opinions on this, so please only answer if you know what the law is on the matter. Ideally I'd like to hear from one of the forum police officers or failing that, someone who work in the automotive industry. Thanks.

[metalmonkey]

http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/vehiclecrime/vehiclecrime38.htm

This link should answer some of the questions. Its is from 2003, but still releveant.

[Red Herring]

Hands free means not in you hand (and wedged between your shoulder and ear counts as in your hand). If the phone is in a cradle mounted on the dash it is not in your hand, you are allowed to push a button to answer it as long as it is mounted in a holder, but better to have it on auto answer. Be careful dialing out, if you're involved in a crash and an investigator finds a half dialed number on your phone it's a bit obvious and leads to a without due care.

[Ch00]

As above really. I have seen people wedge a phone into the steering wheel acting like a cradle. That fine in my book.

To sum up you cant hold your phone but you can use a wired hands free system or cradle as long as you only touch a button.

Ch00

[Ceri JC]

Ta folks.

[ArtyLady]

Wouldn't it just be nicer to spend the journey with the phone off to escape the rat race for a while - can also concentrate on the road better? ;) that's what I do :smt083