Getting tough with phone users

Rutherglen’s top cop has warned that using a mobile phone at the wheel is “unacceptable” ahead of new laws coming into force today.

Motorists now face a £200 fine and having six penalty points on their licence if caught using their device while driving.

And Chief Inspector Gillian Scott said: “I hope that this will make drivers comply with the legislation.”

Since 2003, anyone caught using a mobile phone while driving faced a £100 fine and three penalty points.

The change in legislation could see newly-qualified drivers – who have a ceiling of six points for their first two years on the road – immediately losing their licence if they are caught.

CI Scott hopes the beefed-up law will make drivers think twice about using their mobile phone and help reduce serious accidents and deaths on the roads.

“Using a mobile phone while driving has always been unacceptable and even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or a text,” she said.

“Distraction reduces hazard perception and increases reaction times in a similar way to drunk driving and makes drivers more likely to cause death or serious injuries.

“The law states that a driver must at all times be in proper control of their vehicle and such distractions have an impact on this.

“The penalties for using an internet device or mobile while driving have doubled to six penalty points and a £200 fine.

“I hope that this will make drivers comply with the legislation preventing such distractions and reducing risks to road users.”

The tougher sanctions are being brought in by the government amid mounting concern about a lack of prosecutions and convictions and a failure of the public to take the offence of using a mobile phone while driving seriously.

Not only will those caught get a £200 on-the-spot fine, but if they are caught twice and accrue 12 points they will automatically appear in court and face a fine of £1000 and a driving ban of at least six months.