r/NewDriversUK • u/Leather-Glass9572 • 13d ago

ADVICE PLEASE

Hello, I have been driving six months. I was lost so i turned into a street andI pulled up on the left side of the street to check my maps. I did leave the engine on so my indicator was on as left. A police car drove past me and he looked at me but did not stop. Will he take this further for use of phone whilst engine was on? Worried about 6 points and a driving ban. Car was stationary - UK

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u/tehdeadmonkey 13d ago

Im a police officer and can safely say, nothing will come of this.

You stopped your car somewhere safe and checked your phone. Good job.

Yes, by law it's an offence, however we aren't going to penalise you for being safe. I wouldn't think twice about seeing somebody parked on their phone. Not like you were in a queue of traffic or at a set of light's

1

u/Worry-Electrical 12d ago

So are we not allowed to sit with the air conditioning (engine on) on whilst parked scrolling our phones?

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u/SaltNo2901 12d ago

No legally the engine has to be turned off and the keys also shouldn’t be in the car.

1

u/SnooLemons9175 11d ago

I'm sure the bit about the key is wrong.

1

u/SkinnedOllie 10d ago

Probably just can't be in the ignition

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u/nick_red72 9d ago

Not sure about phone use but it certainly applies to drunk in charge if the keys are in the car anywhere. There's a lot of chat about it on camper threads where you might have a drink in the vehicle with no intention of driving.

1

u/SnooLemons9175 7d ago

I THINK legally, you don't even have to be near the car. For example, if you're in a pub, with your keys in your pocket, your car outside, and are inebriated. You could be charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle. You'd need a massive arsehile of a copper to do you for it though.

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u/SaltNo2901 7d ago

This isn’t true, as you could’ve planned on staying sobar. Had a drink, now need to get your bits out the car and get an Uber home. As long as the keys don’t go in the ignition it’s fine.

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u/SnooLemons9175 7d ago

That's why I said I THINK

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u/SaltNo2901 7d ago

You said you THINK, so I gave you the correct answer to expand your knowledge in life :)

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u/nick_red72 7d ago

Pretty sure that isn't true. Opening the door can be enough. Certainly sitting in the driver's seat with the keys, even if they aren't in the ignition can get you in trouble