From Today, Hand-Holding Your Phone While Driving Could Get You Banned Instantly
Starting today, British drivers who passed their test less than two years ago will have their licence torn up if they get caught hand-holding a mobile phone while driving.
New rules mean that anyone still within their two-year probationary period who gets caught texting, tweeting, taking a driving selfie or checking CT for the latest will be banned, even if it’s a first or only offence. Police forces all over the UK will be out in unmarked HGV units over the next week to look down into cars and catch people in the act.
The penalty has doubled from £100 and three points to £200 and six, and racking up six points within the first two years after passing the UK driving test means it’s the end of the road – at least until the ban runs out, at which point offenders have to retake both their theory and practical tests.
Purely anecdotal evidence suggests huge numbers of people are using their phones, even if it’s in slow-moving traffic, which is still illegal. An RAC study last year found that a third of people were willing to admit they used their phone illegally while driving, and the true figure could be much higher.
With the higher punishments in mind, take care, CTzens. As much as we love everything you bring to our little corner of the web, we don’t want any torched licences.
Comments
As a biker, hate car drivers who use their phone and don’t pay attention on the road.
A biker sees more than most drivers, everyone sees more than people who text while driving
Finally
Holding a phone while driving has been illegal in Australia for as long as I remember
Its been illegal here for a very long time. Now they’ve just made the punishment crippling.
HELLO - is using your phone in a holster on your windscreen for sat nav illegal
I thought exactly the same thing
No, but you would have to stop and turn off the car to input a destination
Because people who passed in the last 2 years have licenses that can get torn up…
So before I got my license 5 years ago
I’d ask my dad for a ride everywhere and EVERY time he would be on his phone texting or responding to emails
It terrified because he drove like a madman (he is but that’s besides the point). But it taught me to never text and drive. It’s Stupid just don’t do It
it’s been a massive fine and points off you license here for quite some time. it’s stupid to think you can both look at your phone and drive and there’s plenty of times before the law was put into place that I’d see people swerving or driving like toolbags and you go to pass em, yup on their phones. It should be illegal everywhere.
Lol, good thing im not british
Could they have not just used bikes for this. Instead of lorries. Complete waste of tax payers money.
I think it’s a great idea tbh. They can scan across the top of everyone and review the footage later rather than sidle up to each car individually for a peek.
How come it’s aimed at younger folks, as if after 2 years it becomes less dangerous lol
It’s doubled for everyone it’s just that new drivers are only allowed 6 points and then a ban whereas after two years you can get up to 12 points in 3 years so do it twice and you’ll be banned then.
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