What’s the law if making calls from an Apple Watch whilst driving?
Realise it’s not a good idea and I’ve no intention of getting one, just curious really…
Guess offence would have to be not in control of vehicle or similar rather than using a handheld device.
My Apple Watch Ultra links to Bluetooth in the car automatically so no different to making a call with a phone linked in the same way. If my car didn’t have Bluetooth I could make the call directly using Siri on the watch so again, no difference.
Carries the same penalties as using a mobile phone whilst driving IIRC.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
This.Originally Posted by Chris_in_the_UK
It also means that if you check the time on an apple watch whilst driving you are breaking the law. Not so with a non-smart watch.
Yours is only slightly older than the average UK car so not necessarily.
What, just looking at it - isn't time displayed by default?
Not sure…just extrapolating the law…if it’s treated the same as a phone….a hand-held mobile device and checking the time on your phone if it’s not attached to the dash is against the law.
Was thinking if you pressed a button to show time…if the display is up probably a different matter.
Last edited by Christian; 13th November 2024 at 10:59.
There is no direct offence of using a smart watch in the way there is for mobile phone use. However, you could be done for careless driving or not being in proper control if you are distracted (but that applies to anything and is not smart watch specific).
https://www.motoroffence.co.uk/use-o...hilst-driving/
Well not everyone’s does.
If I’m wearing just my Apple Watch whilst driving a car with no Bluetooth connection, and my iPhone is at home I could just say ‘hey siri please call blah blah’ without touching my watch at all. It would be no different from having a phone on a cradle or mount in the car and doing the same thing. The microphone and speaker are surprisingly good and I doubt I’d have to even lift my hand from the wheel for it to be completely audible.
My car is from 2013 and I can, so my guess is most people can (CarPlay is another matter)Well not everyone’s does.
In any case if you’re using Siri you’re doing something perfectly legal even if not recommended.
If however you decide to use your watch screen to type the number or find it in your address book you are breaking the law. At least this is how I see it.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
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