Using a Mobile Phone at the Wheel – DPP v Ramsey Barretto Judgement

The Appellant in this case was caught using a mobile telephone to film an accident as he was driving past. The High Court held that for the purposes of a prosecution under Section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Regulation 110 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 that, “the use of the phone or device (while held) for the purpose call or other interactive communication that is prohibited, not all use of the phone,” per Thirlwall J at paragraph 50.

Her Ladyship went on to warn that other use of a mobile phone might, however, “be cogent evidence of careless and, possibly of dangerous driving.”

For the judgment: https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/director-of-public-prosecutions-v-ramsey-barreto/