Drivers could be hit with £200 fine for using phones at the wheel under new tough law this month
DRIVERS in the UK will be hit with a £200 fine for using mobile phones at the wheel under a law change this month.
Under new legislation, drivers won't be allowed to handle any mobile device while driving from March 25.
Texting or making phone calls while driving is already illegal, but the new rules will close grey areas when it comes to music streaming and taking photos.
A High Court judgment in 2019 ruled that a driving offence is only committed where the phone was being used to perform an "interactive communication function".
That includes making a call or sending a text rather than a standalone function such as recording a video.
The government is now updating the current rules so that all use of a handheld mobile phone while driving is seen as "reckless and dangerous."
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Therefor under the new law, you can no longer touch your device to check the time or notifications, take photos or videos, scroll through playlists, or access any apps while driving.
New wording will also be added to the Highway Code to make clear that phone use at traffic lights or in motorway queues is also illegal.
Unless it is to make an emergency call, anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will now face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.
However, it has been confirmed that drivers will still be able to use their phones to pay at a drive-thru restaurant or toll road.
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The Department of Transport said in a statement: "There will be an exemption to the new law for drivers making a contactless payment using their mobile phone while stationary to ensure the law keeps pace with technology.
"This exemption will cover, for example, places like a drive-through restaurant or a road toll, and will only apply when payment is being made with a card reader. It will not allow motorists to make general online payments while driving."
Drivers will also still be allowed to use a device if it is "hands-free" when driving. This includes "hands-free" calls and the use of your phone as a satnav, as long as it is secured in a holder.
Keith Hawes, director of Nationwide Vehicle Contract, welcomed the move, saying the changes are vital to improving the safety of Britain's roads.
He : "Drivers must take these rules seriously to help reduce the number of tragic deaths caused by violations.
"It is not just mobile devices that drivers should be cautious of. Despite no new rules being enforced on the use of internal infotainment systems, they can be a potential distraction for drivers."
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He says touchscreens have become a common feature on modern vehicles but can be distracting to drivers.
"If you are found to be not properly in control of your vehicle as a result of using dashboard gadgets or hands-free devices you could still be prosecuted," he added.
