Drivers will soon face a £200 fine if they are caught using their mobile phone while driving. A change to the law this month will introduce a crackdown on those who use their devices behind the wheel, even when their car is not moving, The Mirror reports.
The law already forbids ‘interactive communication’ on a handheld device when in control of a car, such as texting or making phone calls, unless in an emergency. But from March 25, new legislation means that drivers in England, Scotland and Wales will not be allowed to handle a mobile device for any reason while driving, and will be given a fine plus six points on their licence for breaking the rule.
This includes scrolling through playlists, checking the time or notifications on your device, accessing apps or the internet, and taking photos and videos. The law also applies even when the car is stationary in traffic, such as in a motorway queue or at traffic lights, but does not count for people making an emergency call.
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In 2020, the Department for Transport reported that 17 people were killed on British roads in crashes involving drivers distracted by mobile phones. A further 114 people were seriously injured and 385 were slightly injured in such collisions.
However, despite the new rules, the Department of Transport has confirmed drivers will remain exempt when using their phones to pay when at a drive-thru restaurant or toll road. The department said in a statement: “There will be an exemption to the new law for drivers making a contactless payment using their mobile phone while stationary to ensure the law keeps pace with technology.
“This exemption will cover, for example, places like a drive-through restaurant or a road toll, and will only apply when payment is being made with a card reader. It will not allow motorists to make general online payments while driving.” Drivers will also still be permitted to use a device as long as it is ‘hands-free’ while driving. This includes ‘hands-free’ calls and the use of your phone as a sat-nav, as long as it is secured in a holder.
