Motoring offences – know the law

In March 2022 the law around the use of a mobile phone, sat nav or tablet while driving changed, but many drivers are still breaking the law 12 months on. New technology which many drivers might not be aware of is also helping to catch those not following the rules. For example, in 2021 during a pilot scheme around 15,000 drivers were caught by camera in a six-month period in just one lane of a single motorway.

Here is our reminder on what’s changed to help you and your employees stay on the right side of the law.

The key change is that you now cannot touch or handle your mobile phone or any other device which sends or receives data while driving or sitting in traffic for any reason. This also includes when you are supervising a learner driver. Previously it was just interactive communications i.e., making and receiving calls or sending a message which were banned.

If you have your phone in a holder attached to your windscreen, dashboard or air vents then you also cannot touch it when driving or stationary in traffic.

If you are a driver using a phone for work purposes i.e., for navigation or to stay in touch with colleagues then you cannot touch your phone unless you have pulled over safely or if you are able to use voice activated controls.

The government has cracked down because distracted drivers are now considered to be as dangerous as those committing drink or drug driving.

If you are caught for this offence, then you face a £200 fine and six penalty points, and a new driver could have their licence taken away from them.

It is clear that the Government has taken a zero-tolerance approach to using a mobile device while driving and overtime this will become as socially unacceptable as drink driving. It is up to everyone including employers to make sure that drivers are aware of the rules, otherwise they face stiff penalties and may lose their licence.

If you have been accused of a motoring offence and need legal advice, contact j.roberts@gullands.com