Motorists Face Big Fine for Using Mobiles at the Wheel
DRIVERS using mobile phones at the wheel will face fines of up to £1,000.
To View Article, go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/mobile/article/0,2763,984036,00.html
Initially offenders will be subject to a £30 fine which can be increased to a maximum of £1,000 if the matter goes to court.
Road Safety Minister David Jamieson said the new offence will take effect from December 1 2003
The Government is also planning to legislate so drivers will get three points on their licence each time they are caught holding a phone.
Introducing the fines, Mr Jamieson said: "Driving whilst using a mobile phone is dangerous."It affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk.
"Our decision to introduce this new offence will make the roads safer for us all.
"Missing a call won't kill you, an accident quite possibly could."
Research demonstrated that driving and using a mobile phone meant motorists are four times more likely to have an accident, he said.
Hands-free calls were also distracting and still put drivers at risk, he added.
Drivers already face prosecution for careless or even reckless driving if using a phone means they do not have proper control of their vehicle.
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DRIVERS using mobile phones at the wheel will face fines of up to £1,000.
To View Article, go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/mobile/article/0,2763,984036,00.html
Initially offenders will be subject to a £30 fine which can be increased to a maximum of £1,000 if the matter goes to court.
Road Safety Minister David Jamieson said the new offence will take effect from December 1 2003
The Government is also planning to legislate so drivers will get three points on their licence each time they are caught holding a phone.
Introducing the fines, Mr Jamieson said: "Driving whilst using a mobile phone is dangerous."It affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk.
"Our decision to introduce this new offence will make the roads safer for us all.
"Missing a call won't kill you, an accident quite possibly could."
Research demonstrated that driving and using a mobile phone meant motorists are four times more likely to have an accident, he said.
Hands-free calls were also distracting and still put drivers at risk, he added.
Drivers already face prosecution for careless or even reckless driving if using a phone means they do not have proper control of their vehicle.
Courtesy of AOL News www.aol.co.uk
UK's No 1 Service provider.
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