McDonald's drive thru warning as customers could face £200 fine and six penalty points

Customers stopping into McDonald’s for a big mac and chips could be hit with a £200 fine after a new law was brought in earlier this year.

Motorists using their mobile phone whilst behind the wheel in stationary traffic could receive the fine as well as six point on their licence.

The law means nobody can use their phone whilst at traffic lights, motorway queues or even at a drive thru, Liverpool Echo reported.

The only exception to this rule is if they are making an emergency phone call or using their mobile phone to pay at the drive thru.

While it is rarely enforced at drive-through restaurants rule 149 of the Highway Code says: "You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. You MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, when driving or when supervising a learner driver, except to call 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop.'

Exceptions are made for using your phone to pay at the drive-thru but they do advise to turn off your engine (Getty Images)

Signs are now dotted around McDonald's drive thrus are urging people not to use their mobile phones to use its app instead.

The signs read: "Tell us your app code to earn rewards" - with small print adding: "Do not use the McDonald's app while your engine is running".

People should, instead, download the four-digit code before arriving at the drive thru, at a time when it is safe and legal to do so.

When the new law was first introduced, the director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts warned the new law must be taken seriously by motorists.

Keith Hawes added: "The changes to mobile phone driving laws are vital to improving the safety of Britain's roads. Drivers must take these rules seriously to help reduce the number of tragic deaths caused by violations.

"As the world evolves, these adaptations to driving laws are important to keep up-to-date with how technology is used by motorists. We hope these penalties are a strong deterrent to drivers who use their mobile phones behind the wheel.

"It is not just mobile devices that drivers should be cautious of. Despite no new rules being enforced on the use of internal infotainment systems, they can be a potential distraction for drivers.

"Touchscreens have become a common addition to modern vehicles, and the more complex they become, the more distracting they can be.

"If you are found to be not properly in control of your vehicle as a result of using dashboard gadgets or hands-free devices you could still be prosecuted.”