Government to strengthen laws on phone use at the wheel

The government has this morning announced that it is to strengthen the law in relation to driver’s use of hand held mobile phones.

It currently illegal to text or make a phone call (other than in an emergency) using a hand-held device while driving.

Next year, laws will go further to ban drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists, check maps, or play games.

As part of the changes, the government is to revise ‘The Highway Code’ to explain the new measures. It will also be more precise about the fact that being stationary in traffic counts as driving, making it clear that hand-held mobile phone use at traffic lights or in motorway jams is illegal except in very limited circumstances.

This will mean anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and 6 points on their licence.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said, “By making it easier to prosecute people illegally using their mobile phone at the wheel, we are ensuring the law is brought into the 21st century, while protecting all road users”.

A recent public consultation found 81% of respondents supported proposals to strengthen the law and make it easier for culprits to be prosecuted.

There will be an exemption to the new law for drivers making a contactless payment using their mobile phone while stationary to ensure the law keeps pace with technology.

The proposals have been welcomed by Road Safety Campaigners.  Mary Williams the Chief Executive of Brake, commented that, “Driver distraction can be deadly and using a hand-held phone at the wheel is never worth the risk”.