Mobile Phones & Driving - The Law

If you get caught using a mobile phone in your car (except with a fixed hands free set) while you're driving you will get fixed penalty points which will have an affect on your car insurance.

A new law came into force at the end of 2003 which says that anyone caught using a hand-held mobile while driving risks a fixed penalty of £30 or a fine of up to £1,000 if convicted plus three points on their licence. Please note that using a hands free headset is not enough, the law states that a phone must not be held in your hand so we would advice you get yourself a cradle for your phone.

However, not everyone takes note of the law and the police have been prosecuting drivers for breaking it. The worst offenders are people living in South West Scotland. According to motoring organisations over 800 have been caught in Strathclyde compared to just 17 in Suffolk. (It's not clear whether that means that Scots have more friends or are just worse drivers!)

Girl Motor recommends that you turn off your mobile phone before driving if you don't have a hands free kit and cradle.