Where Not to Use Your Mobile

There are a number of places where the use of mobiles is prohibited, and many more where it may not be appropriate.

1. Aircraft

You may not use a mobile phone in an aircraft, as there have been claims that mobile phone use has affected flight controls or navigation systems.

2. Hospitals

Mobile phone use is not permitted in hospitals, where it may affect certain medical equipment. Always observe the warning signs, and switch off your mobile when required.

3. Filling Stations

Filling station (or petrol station) operators are not allowed to permit the use of mobile telephones on their forecourts. Having said that, the output power of a mobile phone is extremely low, and the risk of an explosion caused by a phone is practically zero. So although it is not an offence to use a mobile, forecourt staff are not permitted to 'allow' it.

4. Inappropriate Locations

Always make sure that you turn you mobile phone off when going to the theatre, cinema or other place of entertainment. If you must have it switched on to enable you to receive an urgent message, make sure that you have silenced the ringtone and any other audible message indicators.

You should also be careful in restaurants, offices, trains, buses and some other public places that your phone use does not interfere with other people. Never shout into the phone, and consider switching it to vibrate, so that you won't disturb anyone with your ringtone.

Keep the personal chat and trivia down to a minimum when talking in a public place; many people will find it irritating.