Mobile phones and road safety

The Law & Mobile Phone use in a car.

Points on your licence

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving and the penalties are going up. From 27 February 2007 you will receive a £60 fine and three penalty points on your licence. Points can mean higher insurance costs.You don't have to be caught many times to be disqualified. If you get just six points in the first two years after passing your test, you will lose your licence under the New Drivers Act.

You can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free mobile phone if you are not in proper control of your vehicle. The penalties will be the same as for using a hand-held phone. And the penalties for driving carelessly or dangerously when using any phone can include disqualification, a large fine and up to two years imprisonment.

How does the law apply?

While driving, you will be breaking the law if you pick up or use any type of phone that is, or must be, held to operate it. For example, this means you may not use your mobile phone:

• when you are stopped at traffic lights;
• when you are queuing in traffic;
• to receive calls, pictures, text messages or to access the Internet.

If you are an employer, you can be prosecuted if you require employees to make or receive calls while driving.

• When driving you should use voicemail, a message service or call diversion so you can pick up messages later.
• Only use your phone after you have stopped in a safe place. But never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
• Avoid taking calls even on a hands-free phone while driving. They can be just as distracting. If you must answer, say you are driving and end the conversation. Otherwise you will put yourself and other road users at risk.

THINK! Switch off before you drive off.