Plans to double fines and penalty points for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving has sent a strong message to drivers, but we still need better enforcement for the measures to work according to the Freight Transport Association (FTA)
The Department for Transport (DfT) has released its response to the consultation on ‘Penalties for use of a Hand Held Mobile Phone Whilst Driving’. The DfT now proposes that those caught using a hand-held phone whilst driving will receive:
- A £200 fine (currently just £100)
- 6 points for all drivers (currently 3)
- No option to take a remedial course
FTA’s Head of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Policy, Ian Gallagher had this to say: “These proposed changes should go some way towards making all drivers think about the consequences of their actions. Vocational drivers also risk their livelihood as many of our members already have in place a zero tolerance for employees in breach of these rules.”
Police in England and Wales are conducting a week-long crackdown on motorists who use their phones while driving. The National Police Chiefs’ Council said the campaign aims to “make driving distracted just as socially unacceptable as drink driving”.
Swannells – Warehousing Cambridgeshire
The national week of actions comes after a previous one back in May, which resulted in the detection of over 2,000 offences across the week.
It comes after an RAC surgery in September suggested the number of motorists illegally using mobile phones while at the wheel was rising. Out of all the motorists asked, 31% of them said they had used a handheld phone behind the wheel compared with 8% in 2014.
A Dangerous Past Time – Swannells – Warehousing Cambridgeshire
People checking social media and texting is nor becoming much more common than taking calls at the week, according to PC Derek Kitcher of Gwent Police. He stated that most offenders don’t even realise that a police car is next to them until an officer beeps their horn.
Fellow officer SGT Leighton Healen told the BBC that it was something that was becoming socially unacceptable and was a dangerous “pastime”.
Drink-driving was a personal choice whereas mobile phone usage seems to be a spontaneous offence, he said.
”What we want to do is educate people, raise awareness around the use of mobile phones and prevent it in the first place. As a police force, I’m not always keen to issue that fine if education is better served.”
Swannells – Warehousing Cambridgeshire
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