Health, Safety and Environment

Increased Penalty for Using a Mobile Phone Whilst Driving

23 January 2007

New legislation to increase the penalty for using a hand-held phone whilst driving will come into force on 27 February 2007.

The current fine of £30 will increase to £60 plus three penalty points on your licence. Penalty points can mean higher insurance costs. If you get six points within two years of passing your test, your licence will be revoked and you will need to re-sit the test. If the case goes to court, you could risk a maximum fine of £1,000, that rises to £2,500 for the driver of a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle.

A driver can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free device if you are not in proper control of your vehicle when using the device. The penalties are the same - £60 fine and three points on your licence.

Employers can be prosecuted if they require employees to make or receive mobile calls while driving. It is an offence to cause or permit the use of a hand-held mobile phone when driving. It is also an offence to cause or permit a driver not to have proper control of a vehicle.

The fines have been increased because research has shown that if you are using a mobile phone whilst driving, you are four times more likely to have a crash. If you use any type of mobile, hands free or hands held, your reaction times are worse than if you were driving under the influence of alcohol. Even if you are a careful driver, it is easy to be distracted by a phone call or text message - and that split second lapse in concentration could result in a crash.

From 27 February 2007 you will receive a £60 fine and three penalty points on your licence or up to £1,000 on conviction in court (£2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches). Drivers still risk prosecution (for failure to have proper control) if they use hands-free phones when driving.