Drivers face three points for using phone

Motorcyclists should face one less hazard on the road after December when a new law comes into force specifically banning drivers from using handheld phones while driving.

The move, announced yesterday by David Jamieson, the Government’s Road Safety Minister, will see drivers face a £30 fine and three points on their licence if caught speaking into a handheld phone or text messaging while on the move. The fine could increase to £1000 if the case goes to court.

” Driving while using a mobile phone is dangerous, ” said Jamieson. ” It affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk. Our decision to introduce this new offence will make the roads safer for us all. ”

Previously drivers could only be prosecuted for failing to have control of their vehicle or for dangerous driving.

The offence has been left deliberately broad so that even if a passenger is holding the phone for the driver or the driver is holding the phone with their shoulder, they will still be liable to prosecution.

The law has been introduced following a study by RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) which showed that drivers using phones are four times more likely to crash.

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