Government considers new curbs on drivers using mobile phones

17 February 2010

Penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone could be increased, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said during question time in the House of Lords.

Motorists caught using a hand-held mobile currently receive an automatic £60 fine and three points on their licence.

If they cause an accident or pose a risk to other motorists while making a call, drivers face being charged with dangerous driving, which can lead to a two-year jail term.

One option now open to ministers is to increase the number of penalty points to four, which would mean a driver would be banned if convicted three times for the offence.
Tougher penalties could be included in a new Government road safety strategy.

Late last year a study of 14,000 drivers in London showed the use of hand-held mobiles was now higher than in 2006, the year before the introduction of the three point licence penalty and doubling of the fine to £60.