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The law and mobile phones

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16 June 2006

Man talking on mobile phone

Mobile phones: the only safe way to use one

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

From 27 February 2007, there is a fixed penalty fine of £60 and three penalty point licence endorsement.

If you need your drivers to use a mobile while driving then it should be hands-free – typically a vehicle-integrated unit or a Bluetooth-integrated phone with earpiece.

What are the penalties?

  • £60 fine and three penalty points
  • £1000 fine if the case goes to court
  • £2500 fine for drivers of a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle if the case goes to court
  • Employers can be prosecuted for requiring employees to make or receive calls while driving
  • Drivers whose conduct is deemed unsafe because of using a hand-held phone could face prosecution for dangerous driving. This carries a maximum two-year sentence.

Research by Brake has shown that using any type of phone – handheld or hands-free – increases the risk of a crash.

Brake suggests companies might wish to follow these guidelines:

  • Put your phone on message
  • Change message to include ‘I may be driving’
  • Take regular breaks – and retrieve messages then
  • Manage your time to reduce need for calls while driving

Further information

Visit the Department of Transport

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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