Police on the Isle of Wight are participating in a national week of enforcement action against drivers illegally using handheld devices, as new legislation for penalties takes effect from today (Wednesday 1st March).
Under changes to the law, offenders using a handheld device while driving will now receive 6 points on their driving licence and receive a £200 fine. Previously, this offence had incurred 3 points and £100 fine. These changes will have a significant impact on young motorist offenders, who now risk having their driving licence revoked following their first offence.
Furthermore, over the next week anybody caught driving while using their handheld phone will be issued a fixed penalty notice. During this period, there will be no option to undertake an NDORS (National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme) awareness course as an alternative to prosecution.
As of Wednesday 8th March, there will be a change in policy across both Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley in that the NDORS awareness course will no longer be routinely offered as an alternative to a fixed penalty notice. Officers will use their discretion as to whether, in exceptional circumstances, a course is appropriate.
Between 1st January 2014 and 30th September 2016, there were 56 collisions across the region in which use of a mobile phone while driving may have been a causation factor. These collisions involved a total of 4 fatalities and 73 injuries. During the same period, a total of 14,651 tickets were issued to drivers found to be using a mobile device while driving.
Superintendent Simon Dodds, Head of the Joint Roads Policing Unit said:
“There is never an excuse for someone to be using their mobile phone while driving and this change in legislation sends a clear message that it will not be tolerated.
“To coincide with this change, we will no longer routinely offer the Driver Awareness courses as an alternative to points and a fine. This toughened stance sends a message to offenders who use mobiles while driving, and the increased penalties better reflect the seriousness of such driver behaviour.
Article continues below this advertisement “All too often, my officers are faced with the devastation caused by motorists who persist on ignoring the dangers and drive while using their handheld phone. Lives are tragically lost and families are destroyed by the irresponsible decision to take a call on a handheld device, send a text while driving or search for music.
“The safest way is to put down your phone, switch it to silent and place it out of sight to ensure that you will not be tempted to pick it up. Using your mobile phone while driving needs to be considered to be as socially unacceptable as drink/drug-driving, because the consequences can be fatal.
“The message is simple – don’t use your mobile phone while driving – it’s not worth the risk.”
Use of handheld mobile phone while driving
• What is classed as illegally using a handheld mobile phone?
Scrolling through emails or texts, selecting music tracks to play, making or receiving phone calls or text messages, taking photos are all examples of illegally using a handheld mobile phone.
• How can I legally use my mobile phone while driving?
The only time it is legal to use a mobile phone while driving is when it is properly fitted into a handsfree kit which enables its use without you holding the phone and operating the device. From a safety perspective it’s best to turn it off and concentrate on your driving.
