Using phones while driving: How UK law is getting tougher

That’s the message from a top local police officer as today marks a law change surrounding device-use behind the wheel.

From Friday, March 25, drivers can be prosecuted for using their phones while driving if they are simply checking the time, looking at notifications or illuminating the screen.

READ MORE: How the mobile phone law is changing for UK drivers

Previously drivers were prosecuted if they were caught making a two-way call while on the road.

But ‘loopholes’ in the law resulted in the legislation being expanded after a driver who filmed a crash from behind the wheel escaped conviction.

Sergeant Dave Hazlett, of Thames Valley Police’s Road Safety Unit, explained: “There were clearly some loopholes that needed to be addressed.

Sgt Dave Hazlett via TVP

!So this is why the the mobile phone legislation has been strengthened so that any person holding a mobile phone and using the functionalities that are available on that phone whilst driving are committing the offences.”

“We really want to be clear that it's a significant distraction to use a phone while you're driving.

READ MORE: Berkshire drivers caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel

“The first thing you probably do in the morning, you have a look at your phone. People are drawn to their phones, but unfortunately, that's gotten in the way of driving and the concentration this requires to keep in a driver another safe.

“It [the new law] is really about making sure the phone should be very much put away and a secondary thought to the act of driving.”

According to Sergeant Hazlett, data shows drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a collision if they use a mobile phone while driving.

The consequences of using a mobile device on the road can be “catastrophic”, the police chief said.

And one incident that sticks in the mind of the TVP officer is the tragic case of the Houghton family.

READ MORE: 30-year-old driver jailed for ten years after killing family while driving lorry

Tracy Houghton, 45, her sons Ethan, 13, and Josh, 11, along with Tracy’s stepdaugher Aimee, 11, were killed in a crash on the A34 in Newbury in August 2016.

The collision came about after lorry driver Tomasz Kroker ploughed into the back of the family’s stationary car at 50mph while he was searching for music on his phone.

“It's a really significant danger because those few seconds of you're keeping your attention on your phone and not on the road ahead are absolutely critical to road safety and the wellbeing of the public”, Sgt Hazlett said.

stock image via Marco Verch on Flickr

“So, this is why it's ultra-important that people really need to understand that we need to make mobile phone use in vehicles as a socially unacceptable as drink-driving.”

Drivers can receive an on-the-spot £200 fine and penalty points on their licence if caught using their phones.

Accessing apps, writing texts, going online, taking pictures and videos, making calls and unlocking the device will all land drivers with penalties.

During his time on the road, Sgt Hazlett has heard a number of ‘excuses’ from drivers who used their phones.

READ MORE: Man jailed for causing serious injuries to girl, 12, while using phone behind the wheel

He said: “I often call it ‘Births, Deaths and Marriages, where it’s some kind of family connection to a phone call or emergency childcare or mum's not well and that kind of thing.

“They may be well intentioned as far as that driver is concerned, but you can only use or only hold a mobile phone to make a phone call to a genuine emergency service.

“So the police, fire, ambulance. And the only other situation is where you can hold your phone for contactless payment service that's provided at the time. So for example, a drive through Starbucks or Costa or McDonald's, toll roads and payments for parking.”

Under the new rules, phones can also be used for navigation as long as they are cradled using a holder.

The new legislation does not cover devices such as smart watches or large screens in central consoles, but Sgt Hazlett said drivers can still be prosecuted under offences such as ‘driving without care or attention’ if they are distracted by other stimuli behind the wheel.

Asked whether the new rules will result in an increase in fines and penalty points, Sgt Hazlett added: “We would prefer to see a reduction in adverse behaviour.

“So drivers really adhering to the law, having that moral responsibility and personal responsibility to do the right thing and not use their phones.

“That said, we have to be realistic. It's not going to happen overnight.

“And I think it'll be a significant period of time before people really get the message and I think visible and proactive enforcement of these laws will assist in bringing about some behavioural change.”