Driving and mobile phones
Driving and mobile phones
It's a fact that if you drive and use a mobile phone you are four times more likely to have an accident.
Motorists who are if caught driving while using a hand-held mobile phone face a fixed penalty fine of £60 and three penalty points on their licence. The £60 can be increased to a maximum of £1,000 if the matter goes to court (£2,500 for drivers of lorries and buses).
Employers who require their employees to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving can also be prosecuted.
If using a mobile phone causes you to drive in a careless or dangerous manner, you could be prosecuted. The possible penalties include an unlimited fine, disqualification from driving and up to two years imprisonment.
The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership recommends:
- Never use a hand-held mobile phone when you are driving. If you are driving, keep the phone switched off and use your voicemail or message service.
- Stop in a safe place, not on a motorway or hard shoulder, to use the phone and pick up messages.
- Do not use a hands-free phone - your mind will be distracted by the conversation and you will not be concentrating fully on your driving.
- Remember that phones are not the only distraction. It can be just as dangerous to take your attention away for any reason such as changing a tape or CD. Use your common sense to know when it is most appropriate to do this.