Motorists are being reminded of a Highway Code rule brought in earlier this year that means you should not use a mobile phone while driving.
Previously, rules meant texting or calling while driving was illegal. But since March 25, motorists who so much as touch their phone can be hit with a £200 penalty.
And, if a person is supervising a driver who is learning, they could be hit with a £1,000 fine - as well as a massive six points on their licence. The new rules make more actions illegal, but despite them coming into effect more than six months ago, many are still confused about them.
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Experts at LeaseCar.uk are now reminding people of what they can and can't use their phone for while driving.
Hands-free access (such as through voice-command systems) is also allowed under the new rules, so long as motorists aren’t holding the devices as they drive. This means that a smartphone displaying a maps app is allowed if it is in a cradle and not touched by the driver while driving, but confusingly the same rule doesn’t apply to a fixed car infotainment system which the driver can touch.
If the cradle holding the smartphone or aftermarket sat nav device is placed in a position deemed to be obstructing sight of the road and traffic ahead, then a fine and points could soon follow.
Drivers must not so much as unlock their phone while behind the wheel. This also includes being stationary in traffic, such as at traffic lights or motorway queues - and drivers are only exempt from the new rule for two reasons.
The first of these is if you are making a phone call to the emergency services. According to Government legislation, you are exempt if you are the device to call the police, fire, ambulance or other emergency service on 112 or 999, you are acting in response to a genuine emergency, and it is unsafe or impracticable for you to cease driving in order to make the call.
Drivers who are using their phone to pay at a drive-thru are also exempt from the rule. This is only the case if you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving.
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