Millions of drivers could be risking a hefty fine, penalty points and even a ban for wrongly believing that driving with a mobile phone is acceptable. A new survey by vantage-leasing.com revealed that almost 2.5 million Brits think that driving while using a mobile phone is okay. Every year there are over 400 accidents on the roads in the UK where a mobile phone was a contributory factor, according to figures from the Department for Transport. This is despite using a mobile phone while behind the wheel of the car being illegal for 16 years.
In 2017 harsher penalties were introduced to act as a stronger deterrent for motorists using a phone behind the wheel.
Fines doubled to £200 and six penalty points, which is enough to see a motorist that has been driving for less than two years be instantly banned.
If the case goes to court then those found guilty can be banned from driving, plus face a fine of up to £1,000.
Shockingly, almost one-in-20 of the 500 people surveyed thought there should be no penalty whatsoever for those driving and using a mobile phone.
James Buttrick of vantage-leasing.com/ said: “Driving while using a mobile phone causes more than one accident a day in the UK, so it is worrying that a sizeable number of Brits think it is acceptable.
“Indeed, it only takes a split second while texting or talking on a mobile phone for the driver to become distracted, with particularly devastating consequences.”
Despite some motorists believing there should be no penalty for offences, almost one-in-five backed custodial sentences and over a water wanted the penalty point endorsement to rise to nine.
There are only two circumstances when you can legally use your phone while behind the wheel of the car.
Firstly, you are completely in your rights to use a mobile device when you’re safely parked and the engine is switched off.
Secondly, if you need to call 999 or 112 in the case of an emergency and it is either unsafe or impractical to stop your car.
It’s illegal to hold a phone or sat nav while driving or riding a motorcycle. You must have hands-free access, such as:
- a bluetooth headset
- voice command
- a dashboard holder or mat
- a windscreen mount
- a built-in sat nav
The phone driving law still applies to you if you’re:
- stopped at traffic lights
- queuing in traffic
- supervising a learner driver
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