Drivers using their mobiles as SatNavs could be banned from the road, top police chiefs warn
DRIVERS using mobile phones as SatNavs could be banned from the road, police chiefs have warned.
Penalties were brought in this April to stop drivers using phones at the wheel.
And drivers are being warned the laws also extend to using mobile phones as SatNavs.
It is not illegal to use navigation apps but motorists could be prosecuted for touching the handset while driving.
The maximum penalty has doubled, to a £200 fine and six points, or even disqualification.
A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “If an officer determines that a driver using their satnav hindered their ability to control the car, the driver could face prosecution.”
A spokesman for the RAC said: “While a quick interaction with an inbuilt or independent SatNav (in other words, not on a mobile phone) should be acceptable, if a police officer deems you are not in proper control of a vehicle you may still be liable for prosecution.”
The Government said the stricter driving laws were brought in this April to make drivers "think twice" about their behaviour on the road.
Data from Green Flag warned that the number of speeding offences has risen by 44 per cent over the last five years.
Drivers can now be charged up to 175 per cent of their weekly income if they are caught speeding, although a cap of £2,500 remains in place.
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Fines are divided into three bands – A, B and C – which correspond to how serious the speeding offence is.
The minimum fine of £100 and three points will still remain the same.
