Using Handsfree Function.is It An Offence?

[rover]

Today while I was driving I was using my phone's speaker function to make a call. The phone was on the center console box but I was keeping one hand on it while making the call. I was stopped by a cop at Kottawa junction and told that he's charging me for keeping the phone in my hand. He also told that I will have to go to courts and the fine will be 5000 Rs, and also suggested that I could avoid that if I pay him 2500 Rs. Since its against my principles to entertain corrupt cops I said will go to courts and pay that fine. While on the way I tried to report that cop to the Kottawa police station but the big boss was out. I know I don't have enough evidence but is there a way to bust that cop. And is it really against the law to use handsfree function, I know I was keeping my hand on the phone and the cop probably saw me talking and not the phone.

[Sylvi]

Today while I was driving I was using my phone's speaker function to make a call. The phone was on the center console box but I was keeping one hand on it while making the call. I was stopped by a cop at Kottawa junction and told that he's charging me for keeping the phone in my hand. He also told that I will have to go to courts and the fine will be 5000 Rs, and also suggested that I could avoid that if I pay him 2500 Rs. Since its against my principles to entertain corrupt cops I said will go to courts and pay that fine. While on the way I tried to report that cop to the Kottawa police station but the big boss was out. I know I don't have enough evidence but is there a way to bust that cop. And is it really against the law to use handsfree function, I know I was keeping my hand on the phone and the cop probably saw me talking and not the phone.

'rover',

Report the matter by fax Immediately about the bribe he wanted to the area SP and request to have an inquiry, that you did not established a call at that time SP can go through your call history. First of all make a Complain to the to the area police station. you have to make the Complain before this constable file a case. I have done this got my license back without any case.

I had my mobile on my hand with my hands free unit.

Contact Police head quarters get their advice. There is a duty office for all police personal complains.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[Gyiman]

Today while I was driving I was using my phone's speaker function to make a call. The phone was on the center console box but I was keeping one hand on it while making the call. I was stopped by a cop at Kottawa junction and told that he's charging me for keeping the phone in my hand. He also told that I will have to go to courts and the fine will be 5000 Rs, and also suggested that I could avoid that if I pay him 2500 Rs. Since its against my principles to entertain corrupt cops I said will go to courts and pay that fine. While on the way I tried to report that cop to the Kottawa police station but the big boss was out. I know I don't have enough evidence but is there a way to bust that cop. And is it really against the law to use handsfree function, I know I was keeping my hand on the phone and the cop probably saw me talking and not the phone.

Hmm the topic of reporting cops has been covered before & quite a few have shared their experience in doing so. Basically the law is that you can't hold the phone in your hand. Using a hands free unit isn't. I have been with people who have been stopped holding the phone. So in theory just answering calls, etc. Unless you have voice dialing.

[Sylvi]

Hmm the topic of reporting cops has been covered before & quite a few have shared their experience in doing so. Basically the law is that you can't hold the phone in your hand. Using a hands free unit isn't. I have been with people who have been stopped holding the phone. So in theory just answering calls, etc. Unless you have voice dialing.

'Gyiman',

Yes I agree to your post if the "rover" can prove he did not established a call from his mobile he has a chance to get his licence bak, Furthermore the cop wanteed a bribe. What can you say about that. All trafic cops are bribe take to maximum.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[rover]

'rover',

you have to make the Complain before this constable file a case.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

What do you mean? why the cop want to file a case against me.

Edited February 3, 2012 by rover

[vishkid]

Once my brother was stopped while using speakerphone and keeping it in one hand. He explained he cut (disconnected) a call he got as the ringing was distracting for driving and they had to buy it and let him go. There was nothing mentioned about keeping it in hand being an offence.

[Sylvi]

What do you mean? why the cop want to file a case against me.

What do you mean? why the cop want to file a case against me.

You say on your post as following.Will go to courts and pay a fine insted of his request of Rs:2500.00

I was stopped by a cop at Kottawa junction and told that he's charging me for keeping the phone in my hand. He also told that I will have to go to courts and the fine will be 5000 Rs, and also suggested that I could avoid that if I pay him 2500 Rs. Since its against my principles to entertain corrupt cops I said will go to courts and pay that fine.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[rover]

You say on your post as following.Will go to courts and pay a fine insted of his request of Rs:2500.00

I was stopped by a cop at Kottawa junction and told that he's charging me for keeping the phone in my hand. He also told that I will have to go to courts and the fine will be 5000 Rs, and also suggested that I could avoid that if I pay him 2500 Rs. Since its against my principles to entertain corrupt cops I said will go to courts and pay that fine.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

ah got it. He already gave me the charge sheet. So anyway I have to settle it in courts.

[rover]

It would have been interesting if there were cctv at Kottawa junction.Could have busted the cop easily.

[fuzzo]

the law doesn't explicitly talk about using the phone, they actually write you up for not having both hands on the steering wheel.

this is why using speakerphone is also an offense. best it to turn the speaker on, either put it in your pocket or rest it on your shoulder. as long as you have both hands on the wheel, you are ok.

[Sylvi]

ah got it. He already gave me the charge sheet. So anyway I have to settle it in courts.

'rover',

Even the charge sheat he has to file a case it will take two days. So you have time because he requested for a bribe. that prevents him filing a case if you act fast complain to SP.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[virajkv]

As for the policeman who stops me few months back, drivers need to keep their both hands on the steering wheel unless they are changing gears.... So the speaker phone also becomes an offence... Headset, or bluetooth headset will be a good option..Or if u are up for an arguement just hold the phone while u are holding the steering wheel also, then theoretically your both hands are on the steering wheel so u can say u r abiding the law... ;-)

[Gyiman]

'Gyiman',

Yes I agree to your post if the "rover" can prove he did not established a call from his mobile he has a chance to get his licence bak, Furthermore the cop wanteed a bribe. What can you say about that. All trafic cops are bribe take to maximum.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

I don't disagree that most cops do take bribes, what I said was that it was discussed about reporting cops in a previous post & people who shared their comments mentioned that nothing came out of doing it,

It would have been interesting if there were cctv at Kottawa junction.Could have busted the cop easily.

It would just shown him talking to you. Could mean anything machan in the eyes of someone else watching it.

As for the policeman who stops me few months back, drivers need to keep their both hands on the steering wheel unless they are changing gears.... So the speaker phone also becomes an offence... Headset, or bluetooth headset will be a good option..Or if u are up for an arguement just hold the phone while u are holding the steering wheel also, then theoretically your both hands are on the steering wheel so u can say u r abiding the law... ;-)

But I think the point is that you can't have anything in your hands when holding the wheel. So having it in your hand and holding the wheel would make it the same offence.

[miniace]

Today while I was driving I was using my phone's speaker function to make a call. The phone was on the center console box but I was keeping one hand on it while making the call. I was stopped by a cop at Kottawa junction and told that he's charging me for keeping the phone in my hand. He also told that I will have to go to courts and the fine will be 5000 Rs, and also suggested that I could avoid that if I pay him 2500 Rs. Since its against my principles to entertain corrupt cops I said will go to courts and pay that fine. While on the way I tried to report that cop to the Kottawa police station but the big boss was out. I know I don't have enough evidence but is there a way to bust that cop. And is it really against the law to use handsfree function, I know I was keeping my hand on the phone and the cop probably saw me talking and not the phone.

Having both hands on whilst driving is essential unless used to operate driver aids (Great changes, lights, visor etc.) . I was surprised to hear that ,driving with one hand and other one used to clean the nose/ face using a facial tissue is also considered a crime in accepted law here in SL.Yeah rules are that tough. So the fact remains playing with a mobile is a definite breach of law.

You cant challenge a cop in courts unless you have solid evidence to proof. E images such as a footage from a mobile is considered a valid proof. Use the technology available at your arms length. Best weapon is the mobile phone video. Crying at courts yelling that a cop demanded a getaway ransom wont help at all. Just a waste of time,money and tears.

MINIACE

[rover]

It would just shown him talking to you. Could mean anything machan in the eyes of someone else watching it.

In this instance I didn't bribe him. But there were couple of incidences where cops were caught for taking bribes by using cctv footage.

Having both hands on whilst driving is essential unless used to operate driver aids (Great changes, lights, visor etc.) . I was surprised to hear that ,driving with one hand and other one used to clean the nose/ face using a facial tissue is also considered a crime in accepted law here in SL.Yeah rules are that tough. So the fact remains playing with a mobile is a definite breach of law.

You cant challenge a cop in courts unless you have solid evidence to proof. E images such as a footage from a mobile is considered a valid proof. Use the technology available at your arms length. Best weapon is the mobile phone video. Crying at courts yelling that a cop demanded a getaway ransom wont help at all. Just a waste of time,money and tears.

MINIACE

I was thinking the same thing lately. Accusing a cop without concrete evidence might even backfire. Next time will record the conversation.

[terrabytetango]

Use a phone holder. If a cop stops you for using your phone while its in the cradle, you can ask him how is it different from operating the radio.

[Crishan]

^{Today while I was driving I was using my phone's speaker function to make a call. The phone was on the center console box but I was keeping one hand on it while making the call. I was stopped by a cop at Kottawa junction and told that he's charging me for keeping the phone in my hand. He also told that I will have to go to courts and the fine will be 5000 Rs, and also suggested that I could avoid that if I pay him 2500 Rs. Since its against my principles to entertain corrupt cops I said will go to courts and pay that fine. While on the way I tried to report that cop to the Kottawa police station but the big boss was out. I know I don't have enough evidence but is there a way to bust that cop. And is it really against the law to use handsfree function, I know I was keeping my hand on the phone and the cop probably saw me talking and not the phone.}

^Rover,

^{If you had both your hands on the wheel you could have argued for your inocennce. Since you had one hand in your phone, you are at fault in my opinion.}