Ban on any use of hand-held mobile phones whilst driving

In 2021 using a mobile phone whilst driving laws will be strengthened by making it illegal for anyone to pick up and use their phone at the wheel.

The new legislation, expected to come into play early next year will finally close a loophole that has been used by many drivers in recent years. It will ban using of a  hand-held phone for activities like using apps, taking a photo or playing a game, which had previously not been included in legislation.

These new laws will further enhance the current laws around phones & driving that were first introduced in 2003. Since then, the law has been strengthened multiple times and since 2017 the punishment for using a mobile phone whilst driving was extended to 6 penalty points and a £200 fine.

Ministers were also pushed to ban the use of hands-free functions on phones, like using a sat-nav or phone in a cradle. This however was rejected.

Conservative House of Lords Roads minister Baroness Vere said hand-held phone use behind the wheel was “distracting and dangerous” and that “for too long risky drivers have been able to escape punishment”.

The new change of law is which is currently under consultation is likely to come into force in early 2021.

Speaking to the BBC, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, sai : “Using a mobile phone while driving is incredibly dangerous and being distracted at the wheel can change lives forever.”

“Police will take robust action against those using a hand-held mobile phone illegally and proposals to make the law clearer are welcome.”

Using a phone or a sat nav when driving current laws

It’s illegal to hold a phone or sat nav while driving or riding a motorcycle. You must have hands-free access, such as:

• a bluetooth headset
• voice command
• a dashboard holder or mat
• a windscreen mount
• a built-in sat nav

The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.

You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.

The law still applies to you if you’re:

• stopped at traffic lights
• queuing in traffic
• supervising a learner driver

When you can use a hand-held phone

You can use a hand-held phone if either of these apply:

• you’re safely parked
• you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop

Source: UK Government Website

The Human Cost of Using a Mobile Phone Whilst Driving

The use of mobile phones whilst driving lead to hundreds of accidents each year in the UK. In 2019, there were 637 recorded casualties – which included 18 deaths and 135 serious injuries – in crashes where the driver using a mobile phone was seen as a contributing factor.

Drivers up until now had successfully argued that filming or taking photos with a phone a phone while driving is not worded in current legislation, which dates back 16 years. The current wording of the law say’s it is against the law to use a device “which performs an interactive communication” while driving.