New Highway Code rule means you could be fined £200 for using your phone in the car
DRIVERS are facing tougher punishments for using a phone while driving.
Texting and calling are already banned but now, using your phone at all while driving can see you slapped with a fine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the plans for the rule change in November 2021.
A few grey areas in the rules do not specify whether using your phone to take photos or videos is allowed.
Rule 149 in the current version of The Highway Code says: "You MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop."
But under the new version, The Highway Code will change to reflect that using a phone at the wheel will be strictly prohibited.
This includes using your mobile while stuck in traffic or when stopping at a red light.
Those drivers that like to snap pictures, take videos, play games and scroll through playlists will also be at risk of a fine.
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The only exception to this rule will be when using your mobile to pay for goods at a drive-through or paying for a toll.
Even then, you'll have to be stationary to use this payment method and the phone must be put away before continuing to drive.
Being caught with your phone while driving is punishable with a £200 fine and six penalty points on your licence.
Those that have passed their driving test within two years of making the offence will lose their licence.
Three penalty points can be handed out if found that you didn't have proper control of the car or didn't have a clear view of the road and any traffic ahead.
In some cases, drivers that use their phone while driving may be sumonded to court.
If this happens, you risk having a £1,000 fine, £2,500 if you were driving a bus or lorry, and the possibility of being banned from driving.
Drivers will still be able to use hands-free devices while driving as long as they are secured properly and you do not need to touch them.
If you're using your phone as a sat-nav, set it up before you set off on your journey and make such it's not obstructing your view of the road.
Elsewhere, drivers need to make sure they're aware of new changes coming to The Highway Code.
Plus, London's drivers now face an increased fine amount of £160 for causing driving offences on the red route roads.