Number Plate News – Using your phone whilst Driving – New Law from 1/3/2017

Today marks the first day of March and it also brings in a new law regarding using your mobile phone.
As from today if you are caught using it whilst behind the wheel you will be fined £200 and given 6 penalty points.
If you are a new driver and have had your licence less than 2 years you could also face an immediate ban.

Previously the fixed penalty fine was £30 but in 2007 the fine was raised to £60. It was raised again to £100 in 2013 and this new legislation see’s the fine increased to £200.

The number of penalty points that you received used to be 3 but this new government legislation has increased it to 6 and as new drivers are only given 6 points for the first 2 years, if they are caught using their mobile phones now behind the wheel they will lose their licence as it will be an instant ban.
Previously in some police force areas, motorists could avoid the points by taking a remedial driving course.

The reason behind this new law is because of the numerous fatalities and incidents caused whilst drivers are distracted while using their mobile phones/devices.

The Department of Transport figures show that there were 492 accidents in Britain in 2014 where a driver was distracted or impaired whilst using their mobile phones. In the past 10 years more than 200 people have been killed by drivers distracted by their phones/devices and the mobile phone was a contributory factor in 43 fatal accidents in 2014 alone.

So when you get in your car, as from today programme the Sat Nav put the phone away, remember the call or text can wait and be done when you have stopped driving and have parked up safely.

Stay safe and keep others safe when you are on the road. Is that call or text really worth it?

DON’T DO IT!