Motorists caught talking or text messaging in Britain face hefty fines and jail time under guidelines due to be published today. In the most serious cases drivers caught using a cell phone can be charged with dangerous driving which carries a maximum punishment of two years in prison and an unlimited fine to be determined by a court. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving was banned in 2003 but thousands of drivers violate the law every day.
Currently, drivers face an automatic fine and three points against their license if caught driving and using a handset. Department of Transport statistics show that drivers are four times more likely to crash if they are holding a mobile phone to talk or text message while at the wheel.
Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald said earlier this year that drivers who flout the law and drive dangerously should face tougher penalties.
“There is widespread public concern about the use of mobile phones and other hand-held electronic equipment while driving,” he said.
One reason why people ignore the law is because police are lax in enforcing the law. Sheila Granger, campaigns manager at the RAC, told the BBC: “We’d like to see police on the streets taking action. The best deterrent is for a motorist to be either pulled over themselves or know someone else who has been stopped.”
Hands-free phones aren’t covered by the law but a driver can still be charged if the police think a driver isn’t in control of the automobile.
Drivers who do answer a mobile whilst driving certainly do not set out on their journey with the intention of breaking the law, and it is a split second decision to answer the call. This does not justify it, but this point is intended solely to make the comparison with a driver under the influence who sets out intentionally breaking the law, knowing full well his ability to drive will be impaired for the entire duration of their journey. Yet people who do use a mobile handset could still end up with a two year jail term along side people the steal, rape and murder. For my full response visit The Shelf
Comment by jonny-b — December 20, 2007 @ 8:31 am
i really like the idea of having stiff penalties for this type of thing. i don’t know about two years in prison, but it would certainly get peoples’ attention. i have known a handful of folks killed by motorists who were using a handheld. it’s very sad. have there been studies done on radio usage and accidents? i have seen a couple of car accidents happen this way - folks messing with the radio. one was right in front of a police station!
Comment by paul — December 20, 2007 @ 9:47 am
A more responsible headline would have been “Don’t Drive and use Mobile Phone”, or “Jail time for drivers using mobile in UK” - it’s not just a bad thing to do in the UK, it’s a bad thing to do anywhere, regardless of whether it’s illegal.
Tom
Comment by Tom Page — December 24, 2007 @ 2:25 am