Under new rules announced by the Government today, drivers caught using a hand held mobile phone while driving face increased penalties. Texting, making phone calls without a hands free kit or checking social media accounts will incur a £200 fine and six driving licence penalty points from 2017. Drivers who have recently passed their test face having their licence revoked and being forced to retake their test.
The new rules will come into force sometime in the first half of 2017 in England, Scotland and Wales, and could see fines of up to £1,000 with a six-month driving ban for drivers who are caught twice for the offence.
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The Government announcement represents a substantial increase in the penalty attached to being caught using a mobile phone when driving with the current deterrents sitting at a £100 fine and 3 licence penalty points. It comes in the wake of the RAC's Report on Motoring 2016 which showed that record numbers of motorists were using phones at the wheel.
The report indicated that 11 million motorists have admitted to making or receiving a call in the last 12 months and a further five million have taken photos or videos while driving.
The research by the RAC also found attitudes to mobile phone use behind the wheel have relaxed over the last two years with those who say it is acceptable doubling from 7 per cent in 2014 to 14 per cent now. The percentage who are happy to check social media in stationary traffic, at lights or in congestion has increased from 14 per cent to 20 per cent, too.
A third of drivers surveyed admitted they've used a mobile for calls - and not with a handsfree system - while one in five admitted they'd sent a text, e-mail or posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Phone use was highest among drivers aged 17 to 24.
Responding to news of the increased penalties, AA president Edmund King called the measures "radical" and said: "If we are to change the attitudes of young drivers maybe it has to be that harsh."
What do you think about the tougher penalties for using a mobile phone when driving? Will they solve the problem? Let us know in the comments section below…
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