A new 2022 law will close loopholes around in car phone use.
A new law will be passed in 2022 banning nearly all in car phone use including taking photos, playing games and changing playlists. The law closes loopholes in previous legislation and makes it easier for police to prosecute people caught using their phones while they drive.
It is currently illegal to make calls or texts while behind the wheel of a car, except in an emergency. However, phone technology has advanced rapidly in recently years and legislation hasn’t kept up. Under the new law, any usage of a smartphone (including when the car is stationary) will result in a £200 fine and 6 points on the drivers license.
The law is an attempt to reduce the number of accidents involving phones.
The law will be clearly spelt out in the new Highway Code. Transport secretary Grant Shapps indicated that the law is a reaction to the number of accidents involving handheld devices, saying “Too many deaths and injuries occur whilst mobile phones are being held. By making it easier to prosecute people illegally using their phone at the wheel, we are ensuring the law is brought into the 21st Century while further protecting all road users”.
News of the law has been welcomed by organisations including the AA. Public support is also high, with polls showing that 81% of people support the new legislation. Additional polling also showed that younger drivers are much more likely to use their phone while driving.
Exemptions will still exist.
There are some exemptions when it comes to phone use behind the wheel. Firstly, using a hands free system to make phone calls is still allowed. Using phones for navigation is also still permitted, as long as the phone is securely attached to the windscreen or a dashboard mount.
You can also still use your phone to make payments, for example to pay toll or parking charges, or to pay for food at a drive-thru. This exemption shows that government is trying to take as modern an approach as possible when setting out legislation around mobile phones and driving.