Mobile Phones: Road to Nowhere

Under recent guideline changes, motorists in England and Wales will now face jail if caught driving dangerously while using a mobile phone.

The current penalty for using a mobile phone while driving stands at 3 points on your licence as well as a £60 fine. This fine could reach a maximum of £1,000 if the case is taken to court.

What's the big deal?
Research shows that driver reaction times are up to 50% slower when driving and using a mobile phone. Further research also shows that mobile phones used while driving increases the likelihood of an accident by up to four times.

What if I use a hands free kit?
Hands-free kits are also seen as a distraction to the driver. Research shows that the use of a hands free kit when driving is of little benefit. This has led to one major employer banning the use of mobile phones and hands free kits in all their vehicles.

How will the police know?
If a dangerous driving case makes it to court then a mobile phones records can be checked to verify if the phone was being used at the time of the offence.

Are there any exceptions to this law?
The only exception to the rule applies when making a 999 or 112 emergency phone call. This exception is only applicable if it is unsafe or impractical to stop the vehicle.

What should I do then?
It's advised that you don't switch your phone off, but instead switch it to a voicemail service.