11/08/2023
Mobile phones. Today I witnessed a lady stopped in the driving position. Not at the side of the road. 4 Way flashers on. Going up Rowbarrow in Salisbury, 10 metres from the junction with Odstock rd. I had to drive on the wrong side of the road to go around her and make a left turn to Odstock. She was so involved with the phone she had no idea what was going on around her.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING.
You need to be SAFELY PARKED, WITH YOUR HAND BRAKE ON.
Drivers face being fined and penalty points added to their licence if they touch their mobile phone behind the wheel.
Under the previous rules, it was illegal to text or make a phone call, other than in an emergency, using a hand-held device while driving. But a key change to the Highway Code last year means drivers can get in trouble just for touching a phone, sat-nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data when behind the wheel.
This can result in drivers being slapped with a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence. If you get taken to court, you could face being banned from driving and face a maximum fine of £1,000, or £2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus.
Drivers remain exempt when using their phones to pay when at a drive-thru restaurant or toll roads, or in the event of an emergency, or if they're safely parked and not moving. Motorists can also still use “hands-free” devices when driving, as well as their phone as a sat-nav, as long as it is secured in a holder.
The tweak to the Highway Code was introduced in March 2022 but many motorists may not be up to date with the change. Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: "Bear in mind the law about mobile phone use applies in most situations where you might be easily tempted to pick up your device for a quick check. Queuing in traffic or waiting patiently at the traffic light? Even if you're not currently on the move, you must leave your phone where it is."
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