Confuzzled
27-02-2007, 10:59
Motorists who use hand-held mobile phones while driving will now face tougher penalties.
The maximum fixed penalty fine has doubled to £60, and three points can be added to offenders' licences.
Motorists will also be prosecuted for using a hands-free phone if they are not in control of their vehicle.
Transport minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said those who flouted the law were "selfishly" endangering others, but a drivers' group criticised the move.
In 2005, 13 deaths and 400 injuries were blamed on drivers using hand-held mobile phones.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42617000/jpg/_42617413_driver2_bbc_203ijpg.jpg
The Department for Transport says 21% of drivers admit breaking the law, introduced in December 2003.
Road safety minister Dr Ladyman said the new penalties would be combined with a "hard-hitting" television campaign.
He told GMTV: "We have been working with the constabularies around the country, we chose the timing of today with them, so that they are ready to help us enforce it."
He added it was just as dangerous for people to use mobiles while "wobbling" around roundabouts as it was on motorways.
A recent survey commissioned by Direct Line suggested one million people in the UK were flouting the law at any one time, with drivers in Cardiff, Newcastle and Southampton the worst offenders.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42617000/gif/_42617983_mobiles_fines_203gr.gif
Read here for more - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6399407.stm
The maximum fixed penalty fine has doubled to £60, and three points can be added to offenders' licences.
Motorists will also be prosecuted for using a hands-free phone if they are not in control of their vehicle.
Transport minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said those who flouted the law were "selfishly" endangering others, but a drivers' group criticised the move.
In 2005, 13 deaths and 400 injuries were blamed on drivers using hand-held mobile phones.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42617000/jpg/_42617413_driver2_bbc_203ijpg.jpg
The Department for Transport says 21% of drivers admit breaking the law, introduced in December 2003.
Road safety minister Dr Ladyman said the new penalties would be combined with a "hard-hitting" television campaign.
He told GMTV: "We have been working with the constabularies around the country, we chose the timing of today with them, so that they are ready to help us enforce it."
He added it was just as dangerous for people to use mobiles while "wobbling" around roundabouts as it was on motorways.
A recent survey commissioned by Direct Line suggested one million people in the UK were flouting the law at any one time, with drivers in Cardiff, Newcastle and Southampton the worst offenders.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42617000/gif/_42617983_mobiles_fines_203gr.gif
Read here for more - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6399407.stm