Mobile Phone Safety

Motorists face tough penalties for breaking the law by using a hand-held mobile phone (or similar device) while driving, under the Road Safety Act 2006.
Since February 2007 the fixed penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone is three penalty points and a £60 fine.

If the police or the driver chooses to take a case to court rather than use a fixed penalty notice, the maximum fine is £1,000 (£2,500 for drivers of vans, lorries, buses and coaches.)

Even if you're a careful driver, it's easy to be distracted by a phone call or text message - and that split second lapse in concentration could result in a crash.

    Mobile phones tips

    * You may think a hands-free phone will enable you to have control of your vehicle but your mind will not be fully on your driving. It is not like talking to a passenger who will be aware of what is happening when you are driving.
    * Avoid taking calls on a hands-free phone. But if you must, say you are driving and end the conversation quickly. Otherwise you will put yourself and other road users at risk.

      Employers
    * Do not ask your staff to make or receive calls when they are driving.
    * As an employer you may also be prosecuted if you require your employees to use a mobile phone when driving.
    * If it is essential for your staff to be contacted when they are driving, tell them to use voice mail, a message service or call diversion and to stop regularly to check messages and return calls.

Do you really need to be on the phone while driving?

Are you tempted to take calls because they’re hard to resist when your phone rings, or to make calls because ‘it’ll only be a quick one’? If so, you’re forgetting that it only takes a second to cause a fatal crash. Pull over somewhere safe if you suddenly have to make a call. And put your phone on message service to eliminate the temptation of answering your phone while driving.

Talking on a mobile is worse than talking to a passenger

Some drivers argue: ‘Talking on a phone is just as bad as talking to passengers, and everyone does that!’. Talking to a passenger is distracting and you should cut down on in-depth conversations. However, it’s not as distracting as talking on a mobile. Many drivers who suddenly face difficult driving conditions would stop or slow down a conversation with a passenger (because the passenger can appreciate what is happening), but would continue talking on a mobile (because the person at the end of the line can’t appreciate what is happening).