Increased Penalties For Using Phone When Driving?

Another new set of plans being considered by ministers could lead to tougher penalties for drivers caught using handheld mobiles.

10:03 28 January 2016

A Department for Transport consultation that was launched on Tuesday has cited a research suggesting that 9per cent of motorists regularly takes “selfies” while driving. The research also revealed that accidents between 2009-2014 “occurred where at least one driver” was on their phone.

 

Because of these, ministers are now reviewing a new set of plans that could introduce tougher penalties for drivers caught using handheld mobiles. They are also exploring the possibility of using technology that could automatically put motorists’ phone into a “drive-safe mode” once they get into their cars.

 

"These proposals ultimately aim to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the roads," says the government.

 

Under the proposals, offenders will get four penalty points (six points for drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicle) instead of just three for using their phones while driving. First time offenders could be offered the chance to attend police safety courses to avoid an endorsement on their licence.

 

Neil Greig, the director of Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "For many, smartphone use has become an addiction that we can only start to cure through some form of therapy.

 

"The IAM does not object to tougher penalties but we do believe that the real deterrent is fear of being caught. That fear can only be increased by increasing the numbers of traffic police on our roads."