New mobile phone laws while driving will come into force in the UK from March 25, with research suggesting many drivers are ignorant of the changes.
It had been thought that the new rules, which ban drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games, would take effect alongside changes introduce to the Highway Code from January 29.
However, the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that the new rules will take effect from March 25, with the necessary legislation now making its way through Parliament.
Edmund King, AA president, said:
“Mobile phones offer many distractions and this sends a clear message that picking them up to use them will not be tolerated."
The law will also become tougher as the use of smartwatches, tablets and laptops behind the wheel will apply.
King added: “Drivers will be extremely limited on when they can pick up their phone, mainly to call the emergency services when there was no opportunity to safely pull over and to make contactless payments at drive-thrus.
"Being sat in a traffic jam or waiting at the lights is not an excuse, we want people to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.”
The Government announced late last year that it would tighten the rules on the use of mobile phones, making it illegal to use a hand-held device under virtually any circumstance while driving.
It was already illegal to text or make a phone call (other than in an emergency) using a hand-held device while driving.
Anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.
The Government says that drivers will still be able to continue using a device ‘hands-free’ while driving, such as a sat-nav, if it’s secured in a cradle.
Photo by Val Britaus on Unsplash
