Police Drive Forward Change in Mobile Phone Legislation
On a scale of one to ten of road rage inducements, drivers talking on their mobile phones have to be pretty close to the top. However, from Tuesday 27th February, anyone caught using a mobile phone whilst driving, will receive 3 points on their licence and a £60 fine.
Mobile phones are a distraction even when used with a hands free kit and like any distraction they increase the risk of having a collision. Department for Transport research shows that drivers are four times more likely to have a crash if they are on a mobile phone.
Acting Supt. Mark Bird from the Traffic OCU said, "This legislation is about making our road networks safer for everybody that uses them, not just drivers, but passengers, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Using a mobile phone whilst driving is a serious offence, it is a distraction and can kill. We want motorists to act responsibly and safely that means not using their mobile phones whilst driving.
He continued, "Motorists who continue to flaunt the law will now find themselves with points on their licence and those who are persistent offenders run the risk of losing their licence all together."
From January-December 2004 13,500 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued to drivers for driving whilst on a mobile phone. From January-December 2005 that figure rose to over 18,000 Fixed Penalty Notices and from January-December 2006 the figure rose once more to 22,500.
National research suggests that motorists who drive in the capital are more likely to use their mobile phones whilst driving than elsewhere in the UK.
February 27, 2007