Motorists caught using a hand held mobile phone while driving face strict new penalties from 27th February. The fixed penalty for drivers, introduced in December 2003, will increase from £30 to £60 and for the first time will include the award of thee penalty points. Minister Stephen Ladyman emphasised the importance of not being distracted while driving, saying most drivers agree accidents are more likely when their attention is diverted from the road ahead.
Dr. Ladyman said:"Most drivers acknowledge that using a handheld mobile whilst driving can lead to unforeseen and tragic consequences, but some motorists have failed to act on this knowledge and still use their mobiles whilst driving. The addition of three points to the fixed penalty notice as well as an increased fine will encourage these drivers to reconsider their phone usage while driving before it is too late."
Surrey Constabulary also welcomed the changes to the fixed penalty, officers having witnessed firsthand the tragic results of handheld mobile phone use when behind the wheel.
Inspector Rick Lawn of the Surrey Police Strategic Roads Unit said:'"We welcome this change in the legislation, which more realistically reflects the severity of using a mobile phone while driving, putting it on a par with speeding and red light offences. It's clear the message has not been reaching many drivers from all walks of life, who seem to find the temptation to use the phone overwhelming. The reality is that motorists cannot concentrate on their call and their driving at the same time. The cost for drivers caught using a mobile phone will be at least a £60 fine and three points; the price for those not caught by the police could be significantly more."
The recent campaign to highlight awareness of the fixed penalty continues on radio, press and online activity to raising awareness of both the change in penalties and the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving. This educational approach goes hand in hand with continued enforcement activity by the police. Home Office figures for 2004 show that nearly 8,214 fixed penalty notices were issued for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving in the South East region.
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