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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Abbie Meehan

Edinburgh drivers warned of hefty fines for a lesser-known phone rule

A new study has revealed that drivers feel the most confident on the roads when they're listening to music.

However, motorists should keep in mind that while it is not illegal to play music loudly in your car, using a device to change the song while driving is.

The penalty for using your phone while driving is a maximum fine of £1,000 if you are taken to court - and six penalty points on your licence.

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According to the UK Government website, there are few exceptions when it comes to using the phone while behind the wheel. These include:

  • you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop
  • you’re safely parked
  • you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-through restaurant
  • you’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely

You can use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage. Hands-free access means using, for example:

  • a Bluetooth headset
  • voice command
  • a dashboard holder or mat
  • a windscreen mount
  • a built-in sat nav

The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.

A new study by the car insurance team at Comparethemarket has revealed how confident drivers in the UK feel while behind the wheel.

82 per cent of drivers feel they are at their most confident driving when they have passengers in the car, when the music is on, or driving through a residential area.

On the other hand, 38 per cent of motorists feel the least confident driving in the snow.

32 per cent agree to feeling unconfident when driving in fog, which is tied with driving a truck - also 32 per cent.

Parallel parking is the third most nerve-wracking driving scenario for motorists with 24 per cent saying it makes them feel unconfident.

Julie Daniels at Comparethemarket said: "It’s encouraging to see that over eight in ten motorists admit to feeling confident while driving, however confidence behind the wheel is crucial for all drivers.

"Although there are many scenarios that drivers feel less confident with, there’s plenty they can do to improve this.

"By planning journeys ahead of time to familiarise yourself with the roads you’ll be using, practicing in different driving scenarios, and driving at a lower speed, you can build your driving confidence over time."

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