On 25th March 2022, new rules came in to force which makes it a criminal offence to handle your mobile phone in practically all situations whilst driving.
Since 2003 it has been illegal to make a phone call (other than in an emergency situation) or text using a mobile phone while driving. There was however a loophole in the law and undertaking such activities as taking a photo or video, fell outside of the legislation.
The new rules make the sending, receiving and/or uploading of photos or videos on a phone while behind the wheel, an illegal action. Handling your phone to check the time is also prohibited.
Drivers are still permitted to use a hands-free device such as a sat-nav, or to use a sat-nav on a mobile phone while driving, but it must be secured to the windscreen or dashboard and it must not block the drivers view. That said, if stopped by the police and they consider the driver not to be in total control of their vehicle, they can be charged with careless driving.
Anyone caught using a hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their driving licence. There may also be an instant ban for HGV drivers or for motorists that passed their test in the past two years. HGV drivers can also face a maximum fine of £2,500 for such an offence.
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