Half of drivers say it is acceptable to use your phone when you are driving, despite new rules coming into force today. A loophole allowing drivers to escape punishment for hand-held phone use if they are taking a photo or playing a game has been closed and new rules ban virtually all hand-held use of mobile phones on Britain’s roads, in what Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described as a “zero-tolerance approach”.
New legislation means making phone calls and texting are not the only functions banned when behind the wheel. Taking photos or videos, scrolling through playlists and playing games are also prohibited.
Anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving could face a fine of up to £1,000 as well as six points on their licence. Department for Transport figures show 17 people were killed and a further 114 were seriously injured in crashes on Britain’s roads in which a driver using a mobile was a contributory factor.
