Forum Topic

Tougher penalties begin for drivers using mobile phones

These are the current penalties for using a phone while driving:- You can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone.- You can also be taken to court where you can:--be banned from driving or riding--get a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus)--If you passed your driving test in the last 2 years, you’ll lose your licence.But they are clearly not enough going by the increasing numbers of drivers using a phone at the wheel.  The main culprits I see include taxi drivers, van drivers and others who look to need a car for their work, e.g. salesmen/women.Tougher penalties do not seem to work so what is the answer.  So what is?  The offence does not seem to be policed with people only being charged after the event if they have caused a crash.  Does anyone know someone who has been caught at the wheel and charged?

Reg Ghosh ● 2892d5 Comments

"Tougher penalties do not seem to work so what is the answer.  So what is?  The offence does not seem to be policed with people only being charged after the event if they have caused a crash."You've answered your own question, Reg.  it's not the penalty that is a deterrent, it's the likelihood of being caught.  The only motoring offences carrying a real risk of being caught are those which can be detected by camera, illegal parking or by being associated with an accident.However trivial the offence, if there is 100% chance of being caught, there is a real deterrent (zero tolerance). If there is little or no chance of being caught, no penalty will deter.  It is bad practice to enact laws that are not policed, as it undermines our belief in the rule of law.

Barry Jacques ● 2883d

We have just heard that NICE TO HAVE POLICING such as street patrols will be considered as not so important. As terror is more important. So as for people be caught on mobiles in geat numbers. WELL!!!

Nicholas Beard ● 2883d

Having recently had a car written off by a careless delivery van driver I have also started to question the way that these are now working.From never knowing when something is going to be delivered we are now in the position of having our packages very closely tracked.  When it gets to the point where someone doesn't have time/won't take time or maybe even is penalised for taking a lunch break to eat a sandwich isn't it taking it too far to the other extreme?  I suspect that a lot of logging in of visits is done while at the wheel.

Philippa Bond ● 2886d

If you can't be off your phone for a few minutes then you need psychiatric help. I love my smartphone as much as the next woman, but what I don't do is walk along staring at it and not looking where I'm going as I see people do every day.

Susan Kelly ● 2892d

I don't know of anyone personally who has been caught at the wheel and charged, but like you it amazes me how often I still see drivers holding the phone to their ear with one hand whilst driving with the other.  Particularly when nowadays virtually every car has built-in bluetooth sound systems.I wish there was more focus on these kind of offences and less on catching speeders on underused motorways.  Speed can kill and should be clamped down upon when appropriate, but if someone is doing 90mph on a deserted motorway on a good weather day then in my eyes it's no big deal, whereas someone holding a phone and either calling or texting is lethal in all circumstances.However, punishment wise I believe if you're caught doing 90mph plus you can get 6 penalty points and fined up to a weeks wages, which in most cases will be far more than £200.Of course it's easier thought to catch speeders on a motorway than it is to catch people using their phones.

Adam Beamish ● 2892d