Drivers have been warned that they face being hit with a hefty fine following the introduction of a new law.
As of today (March 25), it is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving, even when the car is stationary.
Those found to break the new rule could be slapped with a £200 fine and as many as six points added to their licence.
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In an effort to investigate how many motorists in the UK were most at risk of breaking the law, experts at leasing company Vanarama surveyed 2,000 motorists about their current mobile phone habits when driving.
Read below for a full summary of their findings, which include the revelation that millions of drivers are already breaking the law.
Almost half of UK drivers (16.8 million) at risk of breaking the new law
While motorists will still be permitted to use their phones to navigate, this will only be allowed if the device is 'hands-free' and placed in a phone holder.
According to Vanarama, though, nearly half (46.7%) of drivers — equating to almost 17 million motorists — surveyed stated that they did not own a holder, placing them at high risk of breaking the law if they use their phone in the car.
The survey also revealed that more than 466,000 drivers admitted to taking selfies while driving, and a further 1.5 million admitted to using their phone to change a song.
A previous loophole in the law previously meant that these actions were legal, but this is no longer the case.
Almost 5 million drivers are already breaking the law
Even though it was already illegal to use a phone to text or make a phone call whilst driving (unless it is an emergency), over 13% of motorists admitted to doing this — equating to around 4.8 million drivers.
You could now even be prosecuted if you’re caught unlocking the phone or illuminating the screen. Being stationary in traffic also counts as driving, so touching a mobile phone in a queue, jam or at traffic lights is now illegal.
Breaking the law can result in 6 points and up to £2,500 in charges
According to the Department for Transport, these clear changes in the law will make it easier for police to prosecute drivers found with a phone at the wheel.
Anyone caught using their device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their license. However, it’s even higher for those that drive heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), as their maximum fine is up to £2,500.
The only exemption to the law involves a drive-through
Drivers will be extremely limited on when they can pick up their phone, mainly to call the emergency services when there is no opportunity to safely pull over.
However, there is another exemption to the law – to make a contactless payment at a drive-through, or payment toll. However, this does cover the payment of other, more general types of online payment while driving, such as online shopping.
You’re four times more likely to crash when on your phone
The reason for this change in the law is due to the increased reliance people have on their phones. However, using a phone naturally makes you slow at recognising and reacting to hazards, which explains the high volume of phone-related accidents on UK roads in 2020. These include:
- 17 people were killed
- 499 people being injured
Further research by road safety campaigners THINK! has revealed that you’re four times more likely to be in a crash if you use your phone. Even a split-second lapse in concentration, such as checking a notification, could result in a collision. A car travelling 30mph travels 100 feet in just 2.3 seconds.
Further research from driving road safety experts IAM has uncovered the increase in reaction times when using a mobile phone, before comparing this to other distractions – such as alcohol or cannabis:
Distraction |
Decrease in Reaction Time |
Conversation via a handheld mobile phone |
45.9% |
Browsing social media via a mobile phone |
37.6% |
Being intoxicated on alcohol |
Up to 30% |
Conversation via a hands-free mobile phone |
26.5% |
Being high on cannabis |
21.0% |
