Drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel to face SIX penalty points and £200 fine as new crackdown law comes into force

DRIVERS face six points and a £200 fine if they're caught using their mobile phone at the wheel when a new law comes into force next week.

Law breakers will be punished twice as much as before, with previous legislation issuing motorists with just three penalty points on their licence and a £100 fine.

Now in more serious cases, police officers have powers to prosecute drivers for careless or dangerous driving.

But despite changes to penalties throughout the years, the Department for Transport has admitted there has been no impact on levels of offending.

Last year in Britain alone, drivers "impaired or distracted" by their phone was a contributory factor in 440 accidents, including 22 which were fatal and 75 classed as serious, DfT figures showed.

But despite this, the number of fines issued for motorists illegally using their mobile phone behind the wheel has plummeted by 84% since 2011.

Some blame the drop on dwindling numbers of road policing officers in recent years.

Given the tragic consequences which can result from any driver using a mobile phone when driving it is important that all drivers understand the consequences of their actions.

Spokesmanfor the Department for Transport

A DfT spokesman said: "Given the tragic consequences which can result from any driver using a mobile phone when driving it is important that all drivers understand the consequences of their actions."

The evidence shows that young drivers are the most likely group to be observed using a mobile phone while driving .

A spokesman added: "The majority of novice drivers are young people, below the age of 25, and, although it is recognised that this group will be disproportionately impacted, they are also more likely to offend in the first place.

"Targeting this group with relatively higher penalties is thus likely to lead to greater behavioural change and more positive road safety outcomes."

How does the new punishment on using a mobile behind the wheel compare to the old law?

USING your mobile phone while driving can be more dangerous than drink-drivers.

Yet some motorists are continuing to break the law so they can take a call while behind the wheel. So what punishments have been enforced to change people's mindsets and how do they compare?

• In 2003 penalty fines were introduced at £30. In 2007 the fine was increased to £60 and three points were handed to all offending drivers.
• In 2013 the fine was increased to £100.
• From March 1, 2017, all drivers will face six points and a £200 fine.

The penalties faced by drivers who offend on February 28, in comparison to those 24 hours later, is doubled.

Government chiefs now hope six penalty points and a £200 fine will be a strong deterrent to stop motorists breaking the law.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, Head of Road Policing for Police Scotland, said: "The risks associated with using a phone while behind the wheel have always been very clear.

"Any driver will be distracted by a phone call or text message as it affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk.

"Distraction reduces hazard perception and increases reaction times in a similar way to drink-driving, making drivers much more likely to cause deaths and injuries.

"Drivers who think they can multi-task are fooling themselves: research shows 98 per cent are unable to divide their time without it affecting performance.

"Talking on a phone hand-held or hands free, texting, emailing, adjusting sat navs, eating, drinking and smoking are all proven to increase crash risk.

"The law says a driver must at all times be in proper control of their vehicle. If at any time they are not they may be guilty of an offence.

"Using a mobile phone while driving has always been unacceptable and even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or text - and a split-second lapse in concentration could result in a serious or fatal collision."

The new law comes into force on Wednesday, March 1.

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