New Mobile Phone Rules / SatNav

[MrGrumpy]

Just saw this story...(I assume it isn't all BS....)

https://www.visordown.com/news/general/ ... phone-2021

Now on the one hand, this has to be good if it stops idiot drivers pissing around with their phones whilst driving. BUT I know from previous discussions that quite a few people use SatNav apps on their phones - will this be affected? I seem to recall that doing this is currently OK as long as you don't touch the phone whilst in control of the vehicle, but I'm not sure whether this would change or not.

[Data]

Yeah, saw this Grumpy. I think it's a good thing. Folks just drive and totally ignore the law on mobile phone use at the mo.

Personally, I use Android Auto on my phone on the bike and in the car. It doesn't really need to be touched when I'm out on the bike, it just does it's thing showing me the route and talking into my ear letting me know the way.

In the car, it's heaven! I have a car that displays the contents of my phone and it's screen on the in car infotainment system screen. So I use it for all navigation, phone calls, texting, music etc etc. It's completely voice controlled. I can make a phone call, receive a call, send or receive a text or play music, check the weather etc etc all by voice. Hands never leave the wheel. I would add that I normally only do any of that when I can easily concentrate on the road, such as when on motorway or other good road not requiring intricate decisions about the road ahead. Even without an in car system that displays your phone contents, you can still use Android Auto. Your phone will just use it's own screen to do it's thing. Use you voice and it's all good.

There are other apps out there that do a similar job to Android Auto, like 'Waze'. I've tried it but prefer the Android version.

Lets see what difference the new law makes eh. I hope the police hit anyone hard for abusing the law. There is no need.

[MrGrumpy]

I'm never sure about these voice activated systems.....I strongly suspect I'd get into an argument with the stupid robot voice!!!

[StephenC]

I use Android Auto in the car, although the car does not have it built in so it works thorough the phone display.

You can still use voice control but it has a few big buttons to easily switch between modes or quickly set a sat nav destination or something.

I saw an article recently that the Goldwing is getting the full Android Auto kit built in. Presumably this will trickle down at least in part to smaller bikes in due course.

[MrGrumpy]

Yes - but if its going to be illegal to basically touch your phone on the road for any purpose (except at full rest), you could find yourself in trouble if you use the Android Auto buttons if not fully stopped with the engine off. Or that's my interpretation.

[Waldorf]

This is on the Government website:

https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones- ... ng-the-law

[roadster]

Although I'm in favour of tightening this up I do find it ironic that the inherent bad design of on-board displays and built-in secondary electronic systems have not been covered by any form of regulation. Several of these systems practically force the driver to focus on touch screens or buttons within the car and take attention off the road. Just to pluck a couple of examples why do you need a display on the central instrument console to tell you what track is playing on the entertainment system? Why is it OK to require three selections on the central touch screen of my car just to turn it off?

[Deleted User 407]

Watching the forza 750video on the other thread, I see that bike will be using android for its tft display which is weird as the Africa twin is using iphone.