Road penalties come into force for phone use behind wheel

Police crackdown on mobile phone use behind the wheel, and tougher penalties come into action.

A week long crackdown has begun, with police forces across the country taking strong measures to stop those using a mobile phone while driving.

Previously, those caught using their mobile phone  behind the wheel would receive three points on their license and a £100 fine. Tougher penalties have this week come into force, with an increase in points to six and a fine of £200. Motorists caught using their mobile twice or accruing 12 points on their licence will face magistrates’ court, being disqualified and fines of up to £1,000.

New drivers that have been on the road for less than two years, face losing their license completely.

Lorry and bus drivers can be suspended if caught.

The government has also launched a new Think” campaign, to warn drivers of the new penalties and the dangers of using a mobile while driving.

The campaign will see adverts on billboards, radio and social media as well as a hard-hitting video in cinemas, which was developed in partnership with The AA Charity Trust.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “Our message is simple and clear: do not get distracted by your mobile phone while driving. It may seem innocent, but holding and using your phone at the wheel risks serious injury and even death to yourself and other road users.

“Doubling penalties will act as a strong deterrent to motorists tempted to pick up their phone while driving and will also mean repeat offenders could find themselves banned from our roads if they are caught twice.

“Everyone has a part to play in encouraging their family and friends not to use their phones while driving – it is as inexcusable as drink-driving.”

In the last enforcement week from January 23 to 29 this year, around 3,600 drivers were handed penalties. More than 10,000 vehicles were stopped by police in November’s crackdown, detecting nearly 8,000 offenders.

Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, National Police Chiefs’ Council roads policing lead, said: “These new penalties reflect the seriousness of the offence and will strengthen the deterrent against using a mobile phone at the wheel. We need people to understand that this is not a minor offence that they can get away with.

“Across this week officers will continue to use innovative and intelligence-led tactics to catch and penalise people who are driving while distracted by a mobile phone. However, this is an attitudinal problem that we cannot simply enforce away by putting more officers on the roads.

“This issue has to begin with personal responsibility by drivers. We know that people are more likely to report other drivers using a phone than to view themselves as guilty of it. That has to change.

“Tougher penalties are a step in the right direction, but police forces and partners are working this week to make it socially unacceptable to use a mobile phone at the wheel. It’s about more than what you might have to pay as a penalty – you could hurt or kill an innocent person on the roads by checking a text or taking a call.”

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