Road safety experts say it’s time for a zero-tolerance approach to the use of mobile phones while driving, calling for the police to confiscate mobile phones from drivers on the spot if they are seen using them behind the wheel.
Pull over: tighter rules on mobile phone use by drivers should see many more fines issued as a deterrent
Mind you, it might make a refreshing change for the police to conduct some kind of routine enforcement of a number of road traffic offences, starting with speeding…
Safety experts at RoadAngel say that following the law change earlier this year, it is now completely illegal to hold and use any mobile phone, sat nav, tablets and other devices which can send and receive data, while driving.
Motorists are permitted to use phones in certain circumstances, however, such as making a 999 call or a contactless payment at a drive-through restaurant while the car isn’t moving.
Hands-free access (such as through voice-command systems) is also allowed under the new rules, so long as motorists aren’t holding the devices as they drive.
This means that a smartphone displaying a maps app is allowed if it is in a cradle and not touched by the driver while driving, but confusingly the same rule doesn’t apply to a fixed car infotainment system which the driver can touch.
Time for a clear message: RoadAngel Gary Digva
Furthermore, if the cradle holding the smartphone or aftermarket sat nav device is placed in a position deemed to be obstructing sight of the road and traffic ahead, then a fine and penalty points could follow.
Gary Digva, founder of RoadAngel, said, “Using devices while driving has been shown to cause accidents. It’s time a clear message was sent to motorists that it is never acceptable.
“If police see any driver touching their phone while behind the wheel they should pull them over on the spot, seize the device and issue a fine.
“Doing so would deter drivers from using their phones behind the wheel and send a clear message to all road users that phone use is dangerous.
“A lot of people are still confused on what they can and can’t do with a mobile phone when driving and that’s because the law is constantly being updated.
“Essentially, it is now illegal to hold a mobile phone or any other device while driving. There are some exceptions however like if you need to make a 999 call.
“A lot of people who don’t have a built-in infotainment system in their car will use their phone for navigation and they still can, it just needs to be in a cradle and in a position that isn’t classed as obstructing the view of the driver.
“Not only can being on your phone lead to hefty fines and points but it also puts a lot of people in danger, that’s why it’s really important to make sure you have the right set up and equipment for a safe journey, no matter where you’re travelling.”
The law change closes a previous loophole which technically permitted drivers to use and hold their phones, as it could be argued they were not using devices for “interactive communication”. It is now completely illegal for those behind the wheel to even hold their phones and devices, even if it is switched off.
The Highway Code makes it very clear that this law still applies to drivers stopped at traffic lights or in queuing traffic; when supervising a learner driver; or using a car which has automatic stop-start technology.
However, there are some exceptions to the rules surrounding mobile phone and touchscreen device usage which drivers need to stay aware of.
In an emergency, motorists are legally allowed to call 999 or 112 while driving if it is impractical or unsafe otherwise to stop the vehicle.
Rare exceptions: the law is now clearer about what phone use is not allowed for drivers
Other exceptions are if the car is safely parked up, the driver is making contactless payment in the car which is not moving (such as in restaurant drive-throughs), or using a device to park a vehicle remotely. There are also rules when operating devices which have hands-free access – drivers are able to make use of hands-free devices in their cars, so long as they aren’t holding them whilst driving.
Hands-free access devices include Bluetooth headsets, voice command systems, windscreen mounts, dashboard holders or built-in sat navs.
If drivers wish to turn off or otherwise use devices with hands-free access, such as changing directions on sat-navs and map apps, they must pull over and park up safely to operate the device legally.
Motorists caught holding or using mobile phones or other touchscreen devices while driving could face up to six points on their licence and a £200 fine, and for those who have passed their test in the last two years, their driving licence could be stripped away completely.
For more tips on staying safe while driving, visit https://www.roadangelgroup.com/
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Good move; good news. My extensive research shows that drivers in Croydon are more likely to be using their mobiles at the wheel than anywhere else in London. Further analysis shows that white van drivers and mothers dropping their kids off at school in huge 4X4s are the worst offenders. Still shocked from the time I saw a woman trying to reverse park in Tesco’s with one hand while talking on the phone in the other hand.
Gary Digva’s call for motorists to comply with laws intended to make our roads safer would have more credibility if his company didn’t sell devices that warn drivers where speed cameras are located.