Drivers have been urged to prepare for changes to driving laws involving the use of mobile phones coming into force later this month.
The UK Government will tighten law on using a device while behind the wheel from March 25.
Current rules mean that it is an offence to use a mobile phone or a hand held device to make a phone call, send a text message or access the internet while behind the wheel.
This scope will be increased further to reflect on the changes to mobile technology since the current law was introduced in 2003.
From March 25, it will be an offence to use your phone for a number of uses while driving a car.
This will include:
- illuminating the screen
- checking the time
- checking notifications
- unlocking the device
- making phone calls
- sending oral or written content
- taking photos
- sending texts
- accessing stored data
- using apps
- accessing the internet
Drivers who commit an offence under this law will be fined a minimum penalty of £200 and will receive six penalty points.
The changes to the law come amid the release of grim statistics concerning the number of crashes involving someone using their mobile phone.
Department for Transport figures reveal that in 2020 alone, 17 people were killed, 114 people were seriously injured and 385 were slightly injured in crashes where the driver was using a mobile phone.
Drivers will still be allowed to make contactless payments at a payment terminal for goods or services as the only exemption to the law.
The vehicle must be stationary and the item being paid for must be provided at the same time or shortly after the contactless payment is made.
Examples of this include paying for a car parking space or getting a drive-through coffee.
Using a mobile phone as a sat nav will still be allowed, as long as it is kept in a cradle and not in the drivers hand.
The RAC has ‘strongly welcomed’ the move, but stress that they must be ‘vigorously enforced’.
Simon William, RAC road safety spokesperson, said: “We strongly welcome the government’s strengthening of the law on handheld mobile phone use behind the wheel.
“As our phones have become more sophisticated, the law has not kept pace and this has allowed some drivers who have been using their handheld phones for purposes other than communicating to exploit a loophole and avoid the maximum penalty.
“Our research suggests that more than one in 10 younger drivers admit to taking a photo or video while driving, while 6% say they have played a game.
“While today’s announcement is clearly good news, it’s absolutely vital that the new law is vigorously enforced otherwise there’s a risk that it won’t deliver the sort of behaviour change that will make our roads safer.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here
