Full stop for talk on the move

Latest News

• MG gives local workers 15% discount
• Citroen launches recall website
• New Audi A3 vs Merc A-Class, Volvo V40
• Renault Alpine concept car leaked

More than one in four motorists are still using their mobile phone at the wheel, just two months ahead of the ban which comes into force on December 1.

Some 27% of motorists admitted to using a handheld mobile phone while driving according to a new survey by Continental Research, even though they will soon face fixed notice fines of £30 for doing so.

Perhaps most worrying is the fact that 10% of motorists admitted to sending text messages, 1% more than admitted to making an outgoing calls. Another 16% of drivers said they answered calls while driving and 15% said they would make a call as they drove.

The new fixed fines can be increased to £1000 in cases the police consider more serious and take to court. The Government also plans to issue three penalty points to drivers for each offence, but needs to pass new laws to do so. No timescale has yet been given on when the legislation will be introduced.

Originally the Government intended to include hands-free kits in its ban but this was considered unworkable. Although these are allowed under the new ban, the Department for Transport says motorists using them will still be prosecuted if they are driving carelessly or dangerously as a result.

What Car? editor Rob Aherne said: ‘Even a hands-free kit can be distracting, so you can’t assume you’re being safe by using one.

‘Don’t wait for the new laws to arrive. Get into the habit of taking a message when you’re driving so you can return the call safely once you’ve parked up or reached your destination.’