This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35141387
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Drivers using mobiles could face bigger fines, more points | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Motorists who use a mobile phone while driving could face tougher penalties if government plans are approved. | Motorists who use a mobile phone while driving could face tougher penalties if government plans are approved. |
| The government is planning to increase fixed penalty fines from £100 to £150, as well as increasing the number of penalty points drivers receive. | |
| Penalty points would rise from three to four - and from three to six for drivers of large vehicles such as HGVs. | |
| Motoring groups welcomed the news, and a consultation will be held on the plans in 2016. | |
| The proposals, which are part of the government's Road Safety Plan, are aimed at targeting those who repeatedly offend. | |
| Most first-time offenders will still be offered an educational course to help them change their behaviour. | Most first-time offenders will still be offered an educational course to help them change their behaviour. |
| The larger increase in the penalty points proposed for HGV drivers reflects the fact that accidents involving large vehicles can be much more severe, a government spokesman said. | The larger increase in the penalty points proposed for HGV drivers reflects the fact that accidents involving large vehicles can be much more severe, a government spokesman said. |
| The proposals follows a previous increase in the fixed penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, from £60 in 2013 to £100. | The proposals follows a previous increase in the fixed penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, from £60 in 2013 to £100. |
| 'Social taboo' | 'Social taboo' |
| Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "Using a mobile phone at the wheel is reckless and costs lives - I want to see it become a social taboo like not wearing a seatbelt. | Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "Using a mobile phone at the wheel is reckless and costs lives - I want to see it become a social taboo like not wearing a seatbelt. |
| "The message is clear: keep your hands on the wheel, not your phone. If you keep taking calls while at the wheel, you could end up being banned from the road." | "The message is clear: keep your hands on the wheel, not your phone. If you keep taking calls while at the wheel, you could end up being banned from the road." |
| The use of a mobile phone was a contributing factor in 21 fatal accidents and 84 serious accidents in 2014, the government said. | The use of a mobile phone was a contributing factor in 21 fatal accidents and 84 serious accidents in 2014, the government said. |
| Suzette Davenport from the National Police Chiefs Council said the organisation fully supported the crackdown and was determined to keep all road users safe. | Suzette Davenport from the National Police Chiefs Council said the organisation fully supported the crackdown and was determined to keep all road users safe. |
| "Drivers must continue to be aware not only of the risks posed by being distracted by mobile phones while in control of a car but the serious penalties which they will face if they are caught," she said. | "Drivers must continue to be aware not only of the risks posed by being distracted by mobile phones while in control of a car but the serious penalties which they will face if they are caught," she said. |
| Motoring organisations also approved of the measures. | Motoring organisations also approved of the measures. |
| David Bizley, the RAC's chief engineer, said: "There is still a surprising number of motorists who think it is acceptable to take a short call with a hand-held mobile whilst driving - it isn't, and is a real danger. | David Bizley, the RAC's chief engineer, said: "There is still a surprising number of motorists who think it is acceptable to take a short call with a hand-held mobile whilst driving - it isn't, and is a real danger. |
| "Our report on motoring this year showed motorists are increasingly worried about other drivers being distracted by mobile phones whilst at the wheel." | "Our report on motoring this year showed motorists are increasingly worried about other drivers being distracted by mobile phones whilst at the wheel." |
| Edmund King, president of the AA, said the majority of drivers "will welcome" the proposals. | Edmund King, president of the AA, said the majority of drivers "will welcome" the proposals. |
| "This epidemic of hand-held mobile phone use while driving has already cost lives. | "This epidemic of hand-held mobile phone use while driving has already cost lives. |
| "Three quarters of drivers see others using mobile phones on some or most journeys, with one quarter seeing it on every journey, according to our polls," he added. | "Three quarters of drivers see others using mobile phones on some or most journeys, with one quarter seeing it on every journey, according to our polls," he added. |