Law closes loophole for using mobile at wheel

THE laws on driving while using a mobile phone have changed closing a loophole that allowed motorists to avoid a £200 fine.

New legislation which came in on Friday will mean drivers in England, Scotland and Wales will not be allowed to handle any mobile device while in control of a vehicle.

It is already illegal to text or make a phone call, other than in an emergency, using a hand-held device while driving.

But the new rules mean touching such a device for any reason – such as checking the time, looking at notifications or scrolling through music will also be banned.

Previously, drivers could only be fined for ‘interactive communication’ using a hand-held device while driving, such as texting or phone calls – other than in an emergency. The changes will close the gaps.

In 2020, the Department for Transport reported 17 people were killed on British roads in crashes involving drivers distracted by mobile phones.

A further 114 people were seriously injured and 385 were slightly injured in such collisions.

Unless it is to make an emergency call, anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.

The Department of Transport added in a statement: “There will be an exemption to the new law for drivers making a contactless payment using their mobile phone while stationary to ensure the law keeps pace with technology.

“This exemption will cover, for example, places like a drive-through restaurant or a road toll, and will only apply when payment is being made with a card reader.

“It will not allow motorists to make general online payments while driving.”

Drivers are also allowed to use a device if it is ‘hands-free’ when driving.

This includes ‘handsfree’ calls and the use of your phone as a sat-nav, as long as it is secured in a holder.