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Telematics kit may fall foul of `anti-mobile' legislation
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II Confusion surrounds the possible implications for telematics equipment of government plans to introduce fresh legislation on the use of mobile phones while driving.
While the consultation document put out by the Department for Transport (DfT) last year makes no specific reference to telematics equipment, some believe that if mobile phone usage is banned under fresh legislation, telematics equipment—especially equipment containing a SIM card—could be next.
The consultation document says that there is "no intention to prohibit the use of in-vehicle equipment that has been designed to support the driving task". This, says a NT spokesperson, suggests satellite navigation equipment, for instance, would be unlikely to be covered by any new legislation. But the increasing number of telematics services that are accessed by mobile phone— which include satellite navigation— seem bound to be affected, and the document also refers to prohibiting "the use of any hand-held mobile phone or similar device", raising the possibility that other telematics equipment, particularly if it incorporates a SIM card and allows voice or text messaging, may also be included. The DfT spokesperson concedes that dashboard-mounted devices for texting "may fall into the category of handheld devices".
Nigel Humphries, spokesman for the Association of British Drivers (ABD), says that while it remains unclear whether telematics systems might be targeted in due course, telematics systems could conceivably distract drivers. On the other hand, he adds, systems that warn drivers about impending jams could actually help prevent accidents. "With all of these things, it's a matter of whether the driving comes first," he says.
Keith Lewis, policy officer at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, says the SMMT would support any move to boost road safety but adds the inclusion of telematics equipment would be a contradiction of previous government policy encouraging the use of technology to boost fleet efficiency and reduce unnecessary journeys.
"I've not heard anything that says they're going to go that far, and it would surprise me if on the one hand they were saying it was good and on the other were banning it," says Lewis.
It is expected that the DfT will publish its reaction to the consultation period by the end of summer.