Since 2005 more than 200 people have been killed in England and Wales in accidents involving drivers using mobile phones while driving. There has been a steady increase in accidents of this nature in recent years. In 2005, there were 306 such accidents, including 13 which were fatal and 49 which were serious. By 2014, the total had risen to 492, with 21 fatal and 84 serious. Drivers can only use mobile phones, whilst in the car, if they need to call 999 in an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop, or if they are safely parked.
Motorists now face a six-point penalty on their licence if they are caught using a mobile behind the wheel. This is double the previous sanction, which means that offenders become “totters” facing an automatic ban after 2 offences as opposed to 4. Young motorists with less than two years on the road would have their licence revoked after being caught just once. Also on-the-spot fines for illegally using a phone while driving will rise from £100 to £200. The move underlines the fact that the use of mobile phones at the wheel is becoming as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.
The tougher regime has been welcomed by motoring organisations, police forces and victims’ families. Whether or not the new penalties become a “proper deterrent” remains to be seen however.
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