Mobile Phones - The Law Has Changed
Using a handheld mobile phone
while driving is illegal. It has been since 2003. From 1 March, the penalties
for holding and using your phone while driving have increased. It’s now 6 points
and £200.
It is not illegal to use hands free, but any time a
driver’s attention is not on the road can be dangerous.
The facts
• Drivers using a hands-free or handheld mobile phone
are slower at recognising and reacting to hazards.
• Research shows:
• You are four times more
likely to be in a crash if you use your phone
• Your reaction times are two
times slower if you text and drive than if you drink drive, and this increases
to three times if you use a handheld phone
• Even careful drivers can be
distracted by a call or text – and a split-second lapse in concentration could
result in a crash.
The law
• It's illegal to use a handheld mobile when driving.
This includes using your phone to follow a map, read a text or check social
media. This applies even if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in
traffic.
• It is also illegal to use a handheld phone or
similar device when supervising a learner driver.
• You can only use a handheld phone if you are safely
parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical
to stop.
• If you’re caught using a handheld phone while
driving, you’ll get 6 penalty points on your licence and a fine of £200. Points
on your licence will result in higher insurance costs.
• If you get just 6 points in the first two years
after passing your test, you will lose your licence.
Using hands free (e.g. for navigation) is not illegal.
However, if this distracts you and affects your ability to drive safely, you can
still be prosecuted by the police.
Copied from
http://think.direct.gov.uk/mobile-phones.html