I must say that I am really pleased by the new laws that have been introduced as of the 1st of March this year in relation to using phones whilst driving. So many times I have been driving and see others with a hand held device against their ear clearly completely distracted and risking the safety of all those around them. It’s a selfish habit that many see to have fallen into and one that should never have been allowed in the first place. With the roads getting more and more congested the odds of being in a car accident that isn’t your fault are increasing. Just a few weeks back I witnessed an accident that occurred from careless driving which I mentioned in my blog post What To Do If You Are In An Accident. Combining the careless driving with an obvious distraction = dangerous driver. It’s kind of a no brainer really and it’s a shame that stricter laws were not imposed a while back.
When Can You Use Your Phone in the Car?
The only time you are allowed to use your phone in the car is when you need to dial 999 or 112 and it is not safe to stop or if you are parked and the engine is off otherwise it’s a no go. This also includes texting, looking at messages, updating your social media account, following a map – basically touching the phone is out.
If you want to use your phone as a sat nav it must be is mounted in a hands-free holder.
Simple enough so why do I see people on their phones on a daily basis. In the past the punishment didn’t really fit the crime, let’s face it driving whilst using a phone can distract you enough to kill someone it isn’t rocket science.
It is also illegal to use a hand held phone when supervising a learner driver.
In addition police can stop drivers that appear distracted which includes where you may be using a radio or sat nav so please be careful and set the sat nav before you leave!
What Will Happen If You Are Caught Using Your Phone Whilst Driving?
New drivers will lose their licence if they are caught during the first two years they have their licence. Theory and practical driving tests will need to be retaken.
For those with a full licence the fine is now £200 and 6 points on your licence.
There is also a chance that you may go to court, be banned from driving or get a £1000 fine.
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It should be taken more seriously, im glad these changes have come in
Me too only this morning I saw a van driver go past with his phone against his ear oblivious to all around him.
I dont drive but glad they have brought new phone laws in for those who do.
It is good as these people can hurt drivers and pedestrians if they lose control or crash.
I’m very pleased with this! So many unnecessary accidents resulting in death and catastrophic injuries! People need to be deterred from being distracted whilst driving!! X
I agree I hope more people take notice.
I am so glad that this law has finally come into action
Me too now we need to spread the word so that people stop using them whilst driving.
Can you imagine the guilt people involved in accidents must surely feel knowing they were using their mobiles at the wheel? Everyone thinks accidents wont happen to them…it’s a really weird human mindset.
I know but it’s really bad when it happens.
I’m glad there is a change in the law. It’s so important to pull over safely to answer your phone. It only takes a second to lose concentration and someone can be hurt
Exactly I wish people would wake up sometimes and think of the pain they can cause to families if they hurt / kill someone by not doing something as simple as stopping their car to answer the phone.
I’m glad of these laws too. So many people have been hurt and killed by using phones while driving, hopefully this will now stop.
It is a shame it has affected as many as it has.
I used to be bad about using my phone when I was at traffic lights/ in tail to tail traffic but now I make an effort to keep my phone in my bag x
Glad to hear as you could get in even more trouble now x
This is so imformative and a really important subject, so thank you for covering the changes.
No problem, thanks for your comment. I wanted to help spread the word 😉
I was the same as Rhian above – especially when stuck in boring traffic! But I can see the dangers now, and have stopped doing it x
That’s good to hear the last thing you want is to get in trouble or even have an accident.
I really hate people using phones whilst driving. A young woman was killed locally a couple of years ago due to her texting whilst driving. It is terrible. Thank you for sharing the new law on this. Kaz
No problem please do help me spread the word x
I try to make sure mine is in the glove compartment so I do not get distracted
I normally put mine where it can’t be seen too.
I’m really pleased that the penalties are higher as it’s so dangerous to use your phone whilst driving!
Me too. I hope that it will deter more people from doing it.
I dont drive but it does annoy me when I see people on the phone when driving x
It’s a shame as so many accidents could be prevented.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog article.Much thanks again. Awesome.
Glad you enjoyed the post.
Its interesting as i didn’t realise the engine had to be off if you stopped to use the phone. Maybe that’s me been stupid 🙂
It’s good to know so you don’t get in trouble.
I was also really happy when I read about this law, people really do need to stop driving and using their phones, so dangerous.
It really is dangerous I wish more people would stop using their phones whilst driving.
Great post, really informative! Good these changes have come in to prevent senseless accidents! Xx
I am too but I wish people would follow them I saw a van drive past me yesterday with the man on the phone talking away and not paying attention.
I can’t believe how many people I’ve seen flouting the new law regarding the use of mobile phones whilst driving. It makes me really angry when I see them as it’s very obvious that they are not in full control of their vehicles as they drive.
I know it really annoys me too. It’s a shame that the cameras that seem to be all over the place can’t be used to fine them.
I agree with harsher laws, unless its a real emergency and you can’t pull over you shouldn’t use your phone, a youngster was driving up my street last week and looked up twice from his phone to check the road which has a cul de sac at the end where children ate playing, they won’t learn until its to late unless harsher punishments are in forced , but on the same hand our police forces don’t have the man power to check everyone xxx
I see peopl of all ages using phones as they drive which really is frustrating especially when it’s near schools on the school run.