Current timestamp: 06/02/2023 00:05:12
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

Thanks for trying the 'beta' version of our new website. It's a work in progress, we'll be adding new services over the next few weeks, so please take a look and tell us what you think.

Get started

staffordshire-police-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Motorists warned over new mobile phone law

Main article content

Navigation

News

14:16 24/03/2022

Motorists are being given a stark warning not to put their lives at risk by using a mobile phone while driving – as a new law comes into force this month.

From Friday (25 March), stricter rules for the use of mobile phones and other interactive devices behind the wheel are set to be introduced.

The Road Vehicles Regulations are being updated to keep up with changes in technology, recognising that mobile phones are more interactive now than when the law was first introduced in 2003. 

Handling a phone in any way; from touching the screen to scrolling a music playlist, browsing the internet, taking a photograph or playing a mobile game - will all be covered by the change in legislation.

An offence will have been committed whenever a driver holds and uses a device, regardless of why they are holding it.

Any motorist caught will face an immediate £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.

New drivers – those within the first two years of holding a full licence – will risk having their licence removed by the courts.

The only exceptions will be if drivers are making a call to emergency services or making contactless payments at drive-thrus and toll roads.

However, motorists will still be able to continue using a device ‘hands-free’ while driving, such as a sat-nav, providing it is secured in a cradle. 

But they must always take responsibility for their driving and can be charged with an offence if the police find them not to be in proper control of their vehicle.

The changes support the on-going work of Staffordshire Police’s #PhoneFree campaign which was launched in March 2020 and highlights the dangers of using your phone whilst driving.

Department for Transport statistics show that in 2020, 17 people were killed, 114 people were seriously injured, and 385 were slightly injured in road traffic accidents in Great Britain where the driver was using a mobile phone.

Inspector Mark Joynson, of the force’s Road Policing Unit, said: “These new laws are being brought in to make our roads safer and help to prevent dangerous driving. 

“Those who choose to use a mobile phone while driving are putting the lives of the themselves and other road users at risk. 

“It only takes being distracted by a device for a second to stop someone reacting to a hazard and the impact can be devastating.  

“Being sat in a queue or waiting for traffic lights to change is not an excuse - we want people to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.”

There are many ways to resist the temptation to use your phone whilst driving including: 

- switching it off completely 
- placing it in the glove compartment
- use safe driving mode to mute any calls or texts

To find out more about driving #PhoneFree, visit: 

#PhoneFree | Staffordshire Police
 

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Staffordshire Police

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.