Holding Your Phone While Driving To Be Banned To Close Loophole

Bad Driving Habits, Dangerous Driving, Driving, Mobile Phone

Under a legislation shake-up mobile phone usage for any reason behind the wheel – not just two-way communication – is set to be banned, with changes enforced from as early as Spring 2020.

Prosecuting drivers who are using their phones behind the wheel is currently only possible if they are caught performing a two-way communication task such as making a call, sending a message or browsing the internet.

Motorists using their phones behind the wheel to take photos or record video aren’t technically in breach of current legislation, and this has been successfully argued in court. Earlier this year Ramsey Barreto successfully appealed against a conviction for filming a road traffic accident while driving as his lawyers argued that current legislation only relates to using a phone for “interactive communication”.

The Department for Transport (DfT) intends to get tougher on all forms of mobile phone usage behind the wheel by revising legislation to close the loophole. This will make it possible to prosecute any driver caught using a hand-held mobile phone to text, take photos, record video, browse the internet or scroll through music playlists while driving.

The need to revise legislation is clear to improve road safety. In 2018 there were 29 deaths and 118 serious injuries on Britain’s roads where mobile phones found to be a contributory factor.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport said ““We recognise that staying in touch with the world while travelling is an essential part of modern day life, but we are also committed to making our roads safe. Drivers who use a handheld mobile phone are hindering their ability to spot hazards and react in time, putting people’s lives at risk.”

He also added: “This review will look to tighten up the existing law to bring it into the 21st century, preventing reckless driving and reducing accidents on our roads.”

This planned legislation update is the most significant since March 2017 when penalties were doubled to 6 points and a £200 fine.

Is updating the law enough to deter motorists from using their phone behind the wheel? Does the likelihood of getting caught need to be increased to make motorists leave their phones alone? Let us know on our Facebook Page.

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