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Road Safety

MOBILE PHONE CAMPAIGN

Dying to Take the Call ?

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving and the penalties are going up.  From 27^th February 2007 you will receive a £60 fine and three penalty points on your licence.  Points can mean higher insurance costs.

“Switch off before you drive off”

Mobile phones have many benefits. They provide security and can be a great help in an emergency, but tests have shown a driver cannot help being distracted by a phone call or text message.  If you are distracted, you will not register hazards or react quickly.  A conversation on a hands-free phone is not less distracting than using a hand-held one.

Points On Your Licence

You don’t have to be caught many times to be disqualified.  If you get six points in the first two years after passing your test, you will lose your licence under the New Drivers Act.   

You can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free mobile phone if you are not in proper control of your vehicle.  Then penalties will be the same as for using hand-held phone.  The penalties for driving carelessly or dangerously when using a phone can include disqualification, a large fine and up to two-year imprisonment.

How Does the Law Apply?

While driving, you will be breaking the law if you pick up or use any type of phone that is, or must be, held to operate it.  For example, this means you may not use your mobile phone:-

· When you are stopped at traffic lights.

· When you are queuing in traffic.

· To receive call, pictures, text message or to access the Internet.

Employers can be prosecuted if you require employees to make or receive calls while driving.

Are There Any Exceptions  ?

Yes, a driver may call 999 or 112 in response to a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop to make the call.

Two-way radios are not covered by this offence but other devices for sending or receiving data are included if they are held while driving.

We are all responsible for safety on the roads.  If you make a call to someone and realise they are driving, drop the call and arrange to speak to them later.  You cannot see the hazards or judge the road conditions while you’re talking to a driver, and you wouldn’t want to distract the driver if you were in the car.