New driver. How do I turn the car on with the engine off to use a mobile?

[CutieJazzy]

Apparently the new rule is you cannot touch your mobile phone even when you’re parked IF the engine is on.

I’m a bit confused how this works with the Honda Jazz - because we have keyless start. As soon as I’m in the car, in order to turn on aircon if it’s really hot or Apple CarPlay I need to put my foot on the break and press the power on button.

This turns on the engine right? So how am I supposed to enter my next destination and have it sync up to Apple CarPlay without turning the engine on?

During the summer, after the gym, I’ve wanted to have a quick snack in my car and quickly check my phone with the aircon on before setting off. This is whilst in a parking bay, with handbrake on and gear in P. Is this also not allowed?

I’m honestly surprised and worried as well because I usually set my destination via my phone whilst parked up, handbrake engaged, gear in P etc. I’ve always been told that we can’t use our phones while driving or in stationary traffic which is completely understandable but I’m so confused about the parked car with engine on rule.

I’m really confused. I just passed my driving test a few months ago and became a first time car owner a few weeks ago so I really want to make sure I’m following the rules as much as possible. Can anyone offer advice on how this rule is supposed to work with our car?

[richardfrost]

Just press the start button without pressing down on the brake. Should start up all the car systems but not start the 'engine' or make the car ready to move. Be careful not to sit for too long like this though as you could quickly drain the 12 volt battery - at least that’s what happens in my Toyota.

[Lord Voltermore]

I think in practice as long as you are clearly  in a proper parking bay, with the car in P   its unlikely you would fall foul of the phone law. The wording of the law is mainly intended to deny loopholes  for those using their phone while stationary in traffic. They might claim that even if other traffic moved off they wouldnt have  moved until they had finished their call.
   But dont  rely on my opinion  .Taken  to the same extreme you could also be  prosecuted for eating in the car as you are not in proper control.   You could fall foul of an unsuitable  enforcement officer, especially if you get into a verbal confrontation with them. 

[Westy36]

I'm 100% behind current mobile phone laws and penalties for breaking them. However, when did you last see a copper on the road? The chances of any repercussions from using your mobile with the engine idling and in a parking space with the handbrake on has to 0.000001%.

To be honest, it's something I've done many, many times and not for a moment considered it an issue. I didn't even realise it was an offence! If I'm safely and correctly parked up, handbrake on, no worries.

We don't live in a Police state, I would bet the ranch on an officer of the law walking by. Sadly they don't even have the resources to attend shop lifting calls these days.

[Lord Voltermore]

I'd  like to think that the police, if any miraculously appear , would take a reasonable view .But traffic enforcement is increasingly delegated to local authorities .  Either wardens , some of who can be 'little Hitlers  ' .How easy is it to find suitable staff, prepared to walk around in all weathers, and take abuse   on minimal wages.  It will attract those who enjoy the confrontation and feeling of power but lack judgement.    Also enforcement can be from traffic camera images, which dont always tell the full circumstances , and administered by staff  for whom issuing penalty notices is merely a mindless routine.      Cameras could certainly pick up drivers in traffic using a phone, but not necessarily that a properly parked car  has its ignition on.

My advice is if a little Adolf appears, be polite , and if a penalty is unfairly issued, take photos of the full  situation,dont ignore the penalty, but plead not guilty in good time.

[Kremmen]

I agree with the rule that even if stationary, in traffic, then using a phone is illegal. But parked at the side of the road, not waiting for a light to change or traffic ahead to move would attract any attention seems bizarre.

[ColinB]

It's always worth finding and reading the actual rules:
https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

There's an exception for being "safely parked", although when you read that bit (Rule 239) it looks like the engine MUST be off.

As for the notion that it's OK because there aren't enough enforcers around to get caught, I don't subscribe to the idea that we can choose not to obey any laws that are inconvenient for us. And it's not only the official enforcers: there's a guy in London who spends his time cycling around deliberating looking for and filming mobile phone offenders, then boasting about it on social media. Are you feeling lucky today?

[Lord Voltermore]

As for the notion that it's OK because there aren't enough enforcers around to get caught, I don't subscribe to the idea that we can choose not to obey any laws that are inconvenient for us.

I totally agree its not acceptable to break laws just because you are unlikely to get caught.   Or if they are inconvenient.     But ultimately in a fair society laws have to be fair and reasonable for the circumstances.  Well enough defined  that clever lawyers cannot wriggle out of a clear breach of the spirit of the law  on a technicality of wording  - "my client considered themselves parked at the red traffic lights.Even though other drivers did not consider themselves parked and might have driven off.  "
But if that means someone gets penalised even though the so called   'man on the clapham omnibus' (ie a normal reasonable person in the street ) would clearly regard them as properly and safely parked, then the law in an Ass    and I would regard it with contempt.  And any oppressive government that tried to enforce it.

[5thcivic]

There's an exception for being "safely parked", although when you read that bit (Rule 239) it looks like the engine MUST be off.

An example of the law not catching up with modern life. Our engine on is only for charging the battery and if in park cannot move, and will turn off after a minute or two when the HT gets 4 or 5 bars, only coming on again if you spend a long of time before setting off, there should be plenty of time to setup a destination from first turn on before it turns on again. If those facts were ignored in any case then the law is an ass. Otherwise just use accessory mode but maybe not for half an hour with all the electrics on!

[ColinB]

There's an exception for being "safely parked", although when you read that bit (Rule 239) it looks like the engine MUST be off.

An example of the law not catching up with modern life. Our engine on is only for charging the battery and if in park cannot move, and will turn off after a minute or two when the HT gets 4 or 5 bars, only coming on again if you spend a long of time before setting off, there should be plenty of time to setup a destination from first turn on before it turns on again. If those facts were ignored in any case then the law is an ass. Otherwise just use accessory mode but maybe not for half an hour with all the electrics on!

You could equally argue that the law does not apply to an EV. It doesn't have an engine, therefore it cannot be either on or off (Schrodinger's car?). I suspect that the law would regard the car as "live" if it is turned on and able to move, and that would apply to a hybrid as well.

[embee]

... it cannot be either on or off (Schrodinger's car?). ...

 

excellent

[shufty]

...If I was in a gym carpark and not on the public highway, with the engine running I would just use my phone and not worry.

[Jazzfan49]

The daft thing is I can use a hand held microphone on my amateur radios while driving, not that I do but it’s legal 

[Expatman]

You can also use the built in touch screen without penalty, even scroll through several menus all legally.
There is no sense to the present law and while car manufacturers insist on putting more and more controls into touch screens the situation is not going to change.

[Lord Voltermore]

Schrodinger's cat would be dead anyway if you had left it in a hot car while you went in the Gym 
Perhaps thats what a catalytic converter is for. If its hot a cat'll  lick it.

With a hybrid are you an honest citizen while the engine is off but an offender the moment it starts itself automatically?   And EV drivers always an offender. (maybe so  )     A bit like being responsible for your dogs behaviour.       Maybe some of the lawyers who defend corrupt and incompetent politicians can clarify which laws dont apply to you.

Edit. Just been for a walk past a 'cat lady' house where 6+ cats gave me a disdainful look. How could they know the struggle I had not making two other cat jokes that might have offend cat lovers. And I hadnt seriousy considered running any Schrodingers cat experiments using a real cat.