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Road Safety

Mobile Phones & Driving

Anyone caught using their mobile phone whilst driving now receives three penalty points on their license and a £60 fine. Points can mean higher insurance costs.

This new legislation meant that if the case goes to Court the fine could increase to £1000 or £2500 for drivers of vans, lorries and coaches. Effectively this means drivers can now end up losing their licence for using their mobile while driving.

You don't have to be caught many times to be disqualified. If you get just six points in the first two years after passing your test, you will lose your licence under the New Drivers Act.

You can also be prosecuted for using a hands free mobile phone if you are not in proper control of your vehicle. The penalties will be the same as for using a hand-held phone. If the driving is deemed to be careless or dangerous, as a result of using the phone, they could be disqualified, face a large fine and up to two years in prison.

• When driving you should use voicemail, a message service or call diversion so you can pick up messages later.
• Only use your phone after you have stopped in a safe place. But never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
• Avoid taking calls even on a hands-free phone while driving. They can be just as distracting. If you must answer, say you driving and end the conversation. Otherwise you will put yourself and other road users at risk.
• If you make a call to someone and realise they are driving, stop the call and arrange to speak to them later.