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Southend-on-Sea Borough Council - 20.02.07
New rules for mobile phone use

The laws on using mobile phones while driving are changing from 27 th February 2007. From that date, penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone will increase to a £60 fine and three penalty points on your licence. In addition, under the New Drivers Act, if you get six points on your licence after passing your test, you will lose your licence. Penalties for anyone driving carelessly or dangerously when using any phone can include disqualification, a large fine and up to two years imprisonment.

Mr Cool, the Southend Borough Council's Road Safety Team's mobile phone mascot, will be promoting the message in his own inimitable way with the help of Southend United Football Club. He will be joining the team at Roots Hall, their home ground, to help the message get through to as many people as possible.

The new rules are based on research that shows that drivers are four times more likely to crash if they are using a mobile phone. Drivers cannot help being distracted by a phone call or text message and cannot register hazards or react quickly.

It is also now accepted that a conversation on a hands-free phone is no less distracting than using a hand-held one. Therefore, the penalties for using a hands-free mobile phone are the same as for a hand-held, if you are not in proper control of your vehicle.

While driving, you will be breaking the law if you pick up or use any type of phone that is, or must be, held to operate it. For example, this means you may not use your mobile phone:

• when you are stopped at traffic lights;
• when you are queuing in traffic;
• to receive calls, pictures, text messages or to access the Internet.

If you are an employer, you can be prosecuted if you require employees to make or receive calls while driving.

Remember, if you use a mobile phone while driving you are risking a fine, you are risking points on your licence (which can mean higher insurance costs), you are risking a prison sentence, you are risking your life.

For further information contact Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Road Safety Team on 01702-215715 or visit www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/mobilephones .

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