Driving and Mobile Phones
New legislation and increased penalties for mobile phone
use whilst driving come into force February 2007. Using
Bluetooth hands free is the answer!
New legislation to increase the penalty for using a
hand-held phone whilst driving will come into force on 27
February 2007. The current fine of £30 will increase to £60
and three penalty points on your license. Penalty points can
mean higher insurance costs. If you get six points within
two years of passing your test, your license will be revoked
and you will need to re-sit the test. If the case goes to
court, you could risk a maximum fine of £1,000, which rises
to £2,500 for the driver of a bus, coach, or heavy goods
vehicle.
A driver can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free
device if you are not in proper control of your vehicle when
using the device. The penalties are the same - £60 fine and
three points on your license.
If you are an employer you can be prosecuted if you require
employees to make or receive mobile calls while driving. It
is an offence to cause or permit the use of a hand-held
mobile phone when driving. It is also an offence to cause or
permit a driver not to have proper control of a vehicle.
Callers also play an important role in keeping the roads
safe. If the person you are speaking to is driving, please
terminate the call and arrange to speak to them later.
Are there any exceptions?
- A driver may call 999 or 112 in response to a
genuine emergency.
- Two-way radios are not covered by this offence but
other devices for sending or receiving data are included
if they are held while driving, i.e a PDA, Blackberry or
similar device.
Reproduced from Department of Transport - Think Road Safety
website.
Click here for:
'Dying to take the call?'
Leaflet giving further information on mobile phones and
driving |
