Mobile Phone Driving

What happens if you are caught driving using your mobile phone?

For More Information see our Mobile Phone Driving section.

With the increased use of mobile phone usage, it became clear that many accidents were being caused by the widespread use of using mobile phones whilst driving. Drivers using their mobile phones were thought to be more likely to lose concentration, miss road signs and fail to spot obvious warning signs such as cars breaking on motorways.

In December 2003 the law was brought in to stop drivers using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. From February 2007 the penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone was increased to £60 and three penalty points added to the driver's licence.

However, the definition does not only extend to making or receiving a telephone call, but also to any other interactive communication function which includes:

• Sending or receiving oral or written messages (text messages or voicemails)
• Sending or receiving facsimile documents
• Sending or receiving still or moving images (photographs and videos)
• Providing access to the internet

The most common exemption to this is using a mobile to make an emergency (ie 999) call.

If a driver chooses not to accept the fixed penalty notice but decides to go to court the the maximum fine is £1,000 (£2,500 for drivers of vans, lorries, buses and coaches).

Despite the law, many drivers are regularly seen using their mobile phones whilst driving. At Gray Hooper Holt we have a specialist team of experience mobile phone offence lawyers who can advise you of your options. If the three penalty points will push you over the limit and lose you your licence you might be able to defend the claim to avoid this.

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For More Information see our Mobile Phone Driving section.

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