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Three points for phone-driving from Feb 27
Date: 23 January 2007 | Author: Tristan Young
From 27 February drivers caught using a hand-held phone while driving will be given a three-point endorsement on their licence and be fined £60.
Although phone-driving is already illegal, motorists caught using a hand-held phone and driving have faced a £30 fine and no points, this has not proved a strong enough deterrent and drivers continue to phone-drive. Home Office figures for 2004 show that nearly 74,000 fixed penalty notices were issued for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving.
The new regulations come in under the much-trailed Road Safety Act.
Announcing the new laws, transport secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Research shows that talking on a mobile phone while driving affects your concentration and ability to react to dangerous situations. It's quite simple - it's impossible to do two things at once and do them well. That is why in December 2003 we introduced new laws preventing motorists from driving while using a hand-held mobile.
"We have seen a groundswell of support for this move. But, worryingly, while 92% of people agree with the law, 21% of drivers admit to breaking it. That is why, from 27 February, the Road Safety Act will introduce a tougher fixed penalty of three points on your licence as well as a £60 fine."
The Road Safety Act also introduces the same change to the penalties for not having proper control of a vehicle - a measure that can also be used where a driver has been distracted by using a hands-free mobile phone.
If the police or the driver chooses to take a case to court rather than use a fixed penalty notice, the maximum fine is £1000, or £2,500 for drivers of vans, lorries, buses and coaches.
