The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership (LLRRSP) is supporting a three week National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) campaign, starting on Monday 7th February, to change driver behaviours and highlight the consequences of using a mobile phone whilst driving.
Many drivers are concerned about illegal mobile phone use by other drivers and this has been the top driver concern in the RAC Report on Motoring for four of the last five years,
While most people do not use their mobile phone whilst driving, there is a dangerous minority who do.
Jonathan Clarkson, LLRRSP spokesperson said
“We aren’t just asking people not to put a phone to their ear. We are seeing more drivers looking down to use a handheld phone to use social media apps, select music, check emails or texting while driving when they should be focussing on the road ahead.”
“Driving while distracted impairs you to a similar degree to that of a drink driver, you are much less aware of what’s happening on the road around you, you may fail to see road signs, fail to maintain proper lane position and steady speed, are more likely to tailgate the vehicle in front, react more slowly and take longer to brake and you are four times more likely to have a collision.”
Using a mobile phone while driving attracts 6 points and a £200 fine and even if you are using a mobile phone legally, if you are driving whilst not being in proper control of your vehicle you could face 3 points and £100 fine.
Being stopped by Leicestershire Police isn’t the only way you can get caught for using your mobile phone whilst driving.
Members of the public can submit any dashcam or GoPro footage they have captured as evidence that could be used to prosecute someone using a phone while driving to Leicestershire Police via: https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rti/rti-b/report-a-road-traffic-incident/
Mobile phones and the law
As well as increasing your risks of a collision you could face a £200 fine and six points if you use a hand-held phone when driving. Within your probationary period you’ll lose your licence.
If it goes to court the fine can be up to £1000 and you could get disqualified from driving.
If you kill someone you will face prison and will have to live with what you have done for the rest of your life.
The police will check phone records when investigating a fatal collision or serious injury.
The law still applies to you if you’re:
stopped at traffic lights
queuing in traffic
supervising a learner driver
Please remember that if you are distracted by your mobile phone or anything else whilst driving, driving whilst not being in proper control of your vehicle is also an offence attracting 3 points and £100 fine.
Visit https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law for more information.