Tougher penalties came into force today for using a phone while driving.

New drivers, within two years of passing their test, face losing their licence if they use their phones at the wheel.

Motorists using a phone while driving will receive six points on their licence and a £200 fine - up from the previous three points and £100 penalty.

Motorists caught using their mobile twice or accruing 12 points on their licence will face being disqualified and fines of up to £1,000.

New drivers who receive six points or more will have to retake their practical and theory tests.

Lorry or bus drivers can be suspended if caught.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "Our message is simple and clear: do not get distracted by your mobile phone while driving.

"It may seem innocent, but holding and using your phone at the wheel risks serious injury and even death to yourself and other road users.

"Doubling penalties will act as a strong deterrent to motorists tempted to pick up their phone while driving and will also mean repeat offenders could find themselves banned from our roads if they are caught twice.

"Everyone has a part to play in encouraging their family and friends not to use their phones while driving - it is as inexcusable as drink driving."

Police forces across the country will be taking part in a week's enforcement from today.

This will see extra patrols and an increased focus on cracking down on people using their phones while driving.

About 3,600 drivers were handed penalties in the last co-ordinated enforcement week from 23 to 29 January this year.

The Department for Transport announced in 2015 that it was exploring whether to increase the penalties for using a mobile phone while driving.

This received almost unanimous support during last year's consultation.

The Ministry of Justice has recently finished a consultation on increasing the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life imprisonment in an additional crackdown on reckless drivers.

Gloucestershire's Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, National Police Chiefs' Council roads policing lead, said: "These new penalties reflect the seriousness of the offence and will strengthen the deterrent against using a mobile phone at the wheel.

"We need people to understand that this is not a minor offence that they can get away with.

"Across this week officers will continue to use innovative and intelligence-led tactics to catch and penalise people who are driving while distracted by a mobile phone.

"However, this is an attitudinal problem that we cannot simply enforce away by putting more officers on the roads.

"This issue has to begin with personal responsibility by drivers.

"We know that people are more likely to report other drivers using a phone than to view themselves as guilty of it. That has to change.

"Tougher penalties are a step in the right direction, but police forces and partners are working this week to make it socially unacceptable to use a mobile phone at the wheel.

"It's about more than what you might have to pay as a penalty - you could hurt or kill an innocent person on the roads by checking a text or taking a call.

"Don't do it - and don't let others take the risk either."

Edmund King, president of the AA, said too many drivers were addicted to their phones.

"Half of young drivers can't bear to turn them off in the car," he said. "If they don't switch off their phones they could lose their licence with the new six penalty points.

"We need to break this addiction and the best way is for drivers to go cold turkey - turn off the phone and put it in the glove box."

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams added: "Our latest report on motoring highlighted that the use of handheld mobile phones is at epidemic proportions and sadly the attitudes of many drivers have relaxed towards this illegal and dangerous activity.

"The new tougher penalties will therefore be welcomed by law-abiding motorists as a better deterrent.

The change in the law is one important step in helping make using a handheld phone at the wheel as socially unacceptable as drink-driving."

Members of the public can report repeat offenders to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 and information will be passed on to police forces.

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Picture credit: pixabay