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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Two-thirds of drivers 'unaware of mobile penalties' | Two-thirds of drivers 'unaware of mobile penalties' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Almost two-thirds of drivers are unaware of the punishment for using mobile phones at the wheel, more than 12 months after the introduction of tougher laws, a poll has found. | Almost two-thirds of drivers are unaware of the punishment for using mobile phones at the wheel, more than 12 months after the introduction of tougher laws, a poll has found. |
| The RAC found only 36% of the 2,000 UK motorists quizzed knew offenders face six penalty points and a £200 fine. | The RAC found only 36% of the 2,000 UK motorists quizzed knew offenders face six penalty points and a £200 fine. |
| Some 41% believed more visible law enforcement is needed, and 22% advocated stronger penalties. | Some 41% believed more visible law enforcement is needed, and 22% advocated stronger penalties. |
| The punishment was doubled from three penalty points and £100 last year. | The punishment was doubled from three penalty points and £100 last year. |
| This made it enough to ban those with less than two years' experience. | This made it enough to ban those with less than two years' experience. |
| To get back behind the wheel, these offenders have to retake both the theory and practical parts of the driving test. | To get back behind the wheel, these offenders have to retake both the theory and practical parts of the driving test. |
| The new rules apply in England, Scotland and Wales. | The new rules apply in England, Scotland and Wales. |
| Some readers who contacted the BBC said there needed to be more publicity about the tougher laws, while others said they weren't enforced strongly enough. | |
| Martin Tillbrook, from Bracknell, said: "Firstly, the penalties are not widely enough publicised. Why not put roadside signs up to remind people? | |
| "Secondly, it just isn't enforced at all." | |
| David Lee, from Carmarthenshire, said: "Around here it is common to see drivers chatting on their phones as they pass - everyday I see at least one. | |
| "People do not judge the risks of an accident, they judge the risk of being caught." | |
| Jeff, from Nottingham, said: "The awareness and advertising of these penalties is poor and there should be a better TV/radio advertising campaign." | |
| When the new penalties were introduced, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said they would "act as a strong deterrent" to mobile phone users. | When the new penalties were introduced, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said they would "act as a strong deterrent" to mobile phone users. |
| Department for Transport figures showed 780 people were injured in accidents in 2016 when a driver was distracted or impaired by their phone - up 10% on the previous year. | Department for Transport figures showed 780 people were injured in accidents in 2016 when a driver was distracted or impaired by their phone - up 10% on the previous year. |
| In the poll, 18% of drivers backed the blocking of mobile signals within cars. | In the poll, 18% of drivers backed the blocking of mobile signals within cars. |
| RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said the law around hand-held phone use by drivers "could not be clearer". | RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said the law around hand-held phone use by drivers "could not be clearer". |
| "Yet every year there are dozens of fatal crashes caused by motorists who have allowed themselves to be distracted by their phone," he said. | "Yet every year there are dozens of fatal crashes caused by motorists who have allowed themselves to be distracted by their phone," he said. |
| "There remains a hard core of drivers who continue to ignore the law and all the risks associated with hand-held phone use." | "There remains a hard core of drivers who continue to ignore the law and all the risks associated with hand-held phone use." |
| Figures obtained by BBC Radio 5 Live last year revealed that 290 new UK drivers were disqualified in the first six months since the change. | Figures obtained by BBC Radio 5 Live last year revealed that 290 new UK drivers were disqualified in the first six months since the change. |
| In Northern Ireland, motorists caught using a hand-held phone while driving face a £60 fine and three penalty points. | In Northern Ireland, motorists caught using a hand-held phone while driving face a £60 fine and three penalty points. |
| A public consultation on a government proposal to increase this penalty closed last month. | A public consultation on a government proposal to increase this penalty closed last month. |
| Are the new penalties news to you? Have the changes been made clear enough? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are the new penalties news to you? Have the changes been made clear enough? Please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |