Motorists face tough new penalties from 27 February if they break the law by using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. From that date, the fixed penalty will for the first time include the award of three penalty points as well as doubling the fine to £60. One 35-year-old Londoner to welcome the enhanced penalty for drivers using phones behind the wheel is cyclist Ben Davies, who finds himself regularly in danger while on his bike from motorists on mobiles not paying attention to the road.
Ben Davies commented: "I have been endangered more times by motorists using mobiles while cycling in London than I can remember. I am outraged that people take so little care or attention when behind the wheel. These new laws should go some way to making motorists think before holding mobile telephones and driving".
Road Safety Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman added: "Using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous and selfish. Research proves that drivers talking on a phone have even slower reactions than someone driving under the influence of alcohol. I hope the new penalties act as a deterrent - drivers who flout the law are putting their licences in jeopardy by running up penalty points."
A campaign to raise awareness of the new fixed penalty began in January and goes hand in hand with continued enforcement activity by the police. Home Office figures for 2004 show that nearly 74,000 fixed penalty notices were issued for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving.
DfT continues to work closely with private partners, including the mobile phone industry, to ensure mobile phone users are made aware of the changes and how it affects them.
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