The laws on driving while using a mobile phone have changed closing a loophole that allowed motorists to avoid a £200 fine.
New legislation from today (March 25) will mean drivers in England, Scotland and Wales will not be allowed to handle any mobile device while in control of a vehicle, Wales Online reports. It is already illegal to text or make a phone call, other than in an emergency, using a hand-held device while driving.
But the new rules mean touching such a device for any reason - such as checking the time, looking at notifications or scrolling through music will also be banned. Before, drivers can only be fined for 'interactive communication' using a hand-held device while driving, such as texting or phone calls - other than in an emergency. The changes will close the gaps.
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In 2020, the Department for Transport reported 17 people were killed on British roads in crashes involving drivers distracted by mobile phones. A further 114 people were seriously injured and 385 were slightly injured in such collisions.
Unless it is to make an emergency call, anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. However, The Department of Transport has confirmed drivers will remain exempt when using their phones to pay when at a drive-thru restaurant or toll road.
The Department of Transport said in a statement: “There will be an exemption to the new law for drivers making a contactless payment using their mobile phone while stationary to ensure the law keeps pace with technology. This exemption will cover, for example, places like a drive-through restaurant or a road toll, and will only apply when payment is being made with a card reader. It will not allow motorists to make general online payments while driving.”
Drivers are also allowed to use a device if it is ‘hands-free’ when driving. This includes ‘hands-free’ calls and the use of your phone as a sat-nav, as long as it is secured in a holder.
Keith Hawes, director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts , said: “The changes to mobile phone driving laws are vital to improving the safety of Britain's roads. Drivers must take these rules seriously to help reduce the number of tragic deaths caused by violations. It is not just mobile devices that drivers should be cautious of.
Despite no new rules being enforced on the use of internal infotainment systems, they can be a potential distraction for drivers. Touchscreens have become a common addition to modern vehicles, and the more complex they become, the more distracting they can be.
"If you are found to be not properly in control of your vehicle as a result of using dashboard gadgets or hands-free devices you could still be prosecuted.“
