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Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
@ytimesmotoring
P.ublished 25th March 2022
frontpage
New Mobile Phone Laws Come Into Force – Beware!
I am sure that everyone is aware that the law already forbids the use of a hand-held device to make a call or send a text whilst driving unless it is an emergency.
Do be careful not to use your phone whilst at traffic lights or stationary elsewhere with the engine running. This is still an offence in the eyes of the law as it still counts as driving. Better to park up somewhere safe, turn the engine off, relax and make that call etc.
No one doubts that using a hand-held mobile phone behind the wheel whilst driving is extremely dangerous, putting both the driver, their passengers and other road users at risk. The updated law removes the grey area as to what might be permitted.
It is still permitted to mount a mobile phone in a cradle, attached to the windscreen and connected to the car via Bluetooth or similar. You can legally make calls this way, but don’t touch that phone screen!
GEM has published some simple tips to keep you safe, which I wholeheartedly agree with:
You may use a mobile phone when you are safely parked, with the engine off and the handbrake on.
You should not pick up your phone in any other situation, including when you are stationary at traffic lights or queueing in traffic.
The only exception to this is if it is an emergency and it would be unsafe or impractical to stop, in which case you may call 999.
Don’t assume using a handsfree kit means you have dealt with the risk. You are still allowing yourself to be distracted from the task of safe driving and you could still be prosecuted for not being in control (an offence which carries a £100 fine and three penalty points).
Better to take a few minutes before a journey to make important calls and check voicemails.
Plan journeys to build in breaks from driving, where you can call, text or email or interact with social media in a safe environment.
You may use a mobile phone when you are safely parked, with the engine off and the handbrake on.
You should not pick up your phone in any other situation, including when you are stationary at traffic lights or queueing in traffic.
The only exception to this is if it is an emergency and it would be unsafe or impractical to stop, in which case you may call 999.
Don’t assume using a handsfree kit means you have dealt with the risk. You are still allowing yourself to be distracted from the task of safe driving and you could still be prosecuted for not being in control (an offence which carries a £100 fine and three penalty points).
Better to take a few minutes before a journey to make important calls and check voicemails.
Plan journeys to build in breaks from driving, where you can call, text or email or interact with social media in a safe environment.
Of course, if you love driving you could always turn your phone off, pop it in the glovebox and get on with the matter in hand. Some relaxing music, free from the distractions of modern life – bliss. All those emails and messages will still be there at journey’s end.
For those who are interested, specific mobile phone driving laws were introduced in December 2003. A £60 fine was the punishment, and this rose to £100 in 2013. Three points on your licence came too!
Fines increased to £200 and penalty points endorsements doubled in 2017, to act as a further deterrent.