Mobile phone use whilst driving to be banned
The Government has announced that using a mobile phone whilst driving is to become an offence.
The Road Safety Minister, David Jamieson announced that from December 1st 2003 using a mobile phone when driving will be an offence.
Drivers will be fined £30 for using either a hand-held device whilst driving. Motorist will also get three points on their licence every time they are caught either making calls or sending texts whilst driving.
Mr Jamieson stated: ‘Driving whilst using a mobile phone is dangerous. We are all too familiar with the sight of people driving along while holding and talking on their mobile phones.
‘Any driver will be distracted by a phone call or text message. It affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk.’
Research by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) published last year discovered that people who drive and use mobile phones are four times more likely to have an accident.
Mr Jamieson commented: ‘Our decision to introduce this new offence will make the roads safer for us all. Missing a call won’t kill you – an accident quite possibly could.’
Drivers could face a £1,000 fine if the driver is taken to court.
Drivers who use a hands-free phone could also face prosecution for failing to have proper control of their vehicle, if their driving is considered to be dangerous or reckless because of the distraction.
Don Foster, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, welcomed news of the planned ban.
“After sustained pressure from Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in the House of Lords, the Government have at long last been forced to take action”, he maintained.
He said that there had been a “staggering” 17,000 deaths on the road since Labour came to power in 1997.
“Far more needs to be done to reduce the number of wasted lives”, Mr Foster remarked.
“Tackling the menace of mobile phone use while driving is a start. But this law could be much more effective in conjunction with other road safety measures, such as lowering the drink drive limit.
“With a little more daring we could make a real difference to improving safety on our roads.”
Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, welcomed news of the ban on hand-held mobile phones while driving, but stressed that the prohibition would have to be accompanied by a campaign to educate motorists about the safe use of hands-free phones.
He also called for more traffic police to enforce the ban adequately.
