Previous loopholes saw some evade the law while pretending to take photos or play games, but that will now fall under the law as well. Using a mobile phone to chat, talk, text or make video calls will now be joined by games, taking photos and scrolling music. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described the move as a “zero tolerance approach” to offenders using devices on the roads.
From Friday March 25, anyone caught in the act can expect fines of up to £1,000 as well as 6 points on their licence.
In 2021, 17 people died on UK roads where a mobile phone played a part in the accident.
A further 114 people were seriously injured and 385 with minor injuries following incidents in which drivers used a mobile device while driving.
More than one in six people killed or injured are cyclists or pedestrians.
The only exception currently in place in the UK is the use of a mobile phone to contact emergency services.
Drivers will still be allowed to use their phone to make contactless payments, such as at drive-thru restaurants, as long as their vehicle is stationary.
Motorists can also use their phone as a GPS if it is fixed in a holder.
Mr Shapps said: ‘I will do everything in my power to keep road users safe which is why I take a zero tolerance approach to those who choose to risk lives using their phones driving.
“I ensure that anyone who chooses to break this vital law can be punished for it, and we will continue our efforts to keep our roads among the safest in the world.”
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AA President Edmund King said: ‘This is a much needed tougher rule set to help make our roads safer.
“The best thing you can do is convert your glove box into a phone booth.
“We all need to keep our hands on the wheel and our eyes on the road.”
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis: ‘The dial really needs to be turned when it comes to law enforcement, which means police forces have the resources and technology they need to catch more easily drivers who continue to flout the law.
“Cameras capable of automatically detecting the use of mobile phones exist and are being used in other countries, so we believe it is high time the UK government assesses this technology with a view to enabling police forces to deploy .”
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Mary Williams OBE, chief executive of Brake – the road safety charity, said: “Driver distraction can be deadly and using a mobile phone while driving is never worth the risk.
“This important government decision on road safety, coinciding with Road Safety Week, is very welcome.
“This news is especially welcome by families suffering from bereavement and catastrophic injuries due to drivers distracted by phones.
“The theme for Road Safety Week is Road Safety Heroes – we can all be road safety heroes by giving our full attention to driving.
Do you think the government is right to introduce such measures? Should we completely ban mobile phones while driving? Should fines and points be even stricter? Let us know what you think of these questions, or add your own remarks by CLICKING HERE and join the conversation in our comments section below – Every voice counts!
According to government research, young drivers are more likely to have used a handheld device while driving, confirming the aim of the government’s award-winning THINK! campaign, which aims to improve road safety by targeting young motorists and high-risk road users.
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Source: www.express.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-25 15:54:00
