Drivers will soon face £200 fines and six points on their licence if they so much as touch their phone while at the wheel, ministers announced last night.
In almost every circumstance, phone driving while intoxicated will become illegal under new laws.
A ban will be implemented in the first half of next year for touching the screen to browse music, scroll the internet, or take a photo.
These strict rules also apply to traffic stops or at red lights.
Phone use while driving will be made illegal by stricter laws that take effect in the first quarter of next year. Pictured (stock image: A driver uses his cellphone while driving)
Only one exception: Drivers can still use their smartphone as a satellite navigation device as long as they keep it in a safe place, such as in a case. You will be able to make mobile payments in drive-thru restaurants and on toll roads.
If they’re not in good control, however, any motorist who does one or more of these things could face prosecution.
These changes will strengthen laws that prohibit driving while texting and calling.
This move was initially announced in January last year but it was later delayed. Ministers last night announced that this will happen in the early part of next year.
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said that the new changes will make it simpler to bring charges against drivers who disregard the rules. ‘Too many deaths and injuries occur whilst mobile phones are being held,’ he said.
‘By making it easier to prosecute people illegally using their phone at the wheel, we are ensuring the law is brought into the 21st century while further protecting all road users.
‘While our roads remain among the safest in the world, we will continue working tirelessly to make them safer, including through our award-winning THINK! campaign, which challenges social norms among high-risk drivers.’
The Daily Mail’s End The Mobile Madness campaign has called for tougher penalties for drivers who recklessly put the lives of others at risk by using their phones.
Grant Shapps from Transport Secretary, was seen in Parliament on Thursday. He stated that it would be easier to bring charges against drivers who disregard the rules. ‘Too many deaths and injuries occur whilst mobile phones are being held,’ he said
The idea of a blanket ban on driving while using mobiles was first proposed two years ago. The legislation has been refined and now includes a small amount of exceptions, following a public consult that saw 81% support.
Highway Code will provide details about the changes and clarify that even stationary traffic, using a cellphone is prohibited.
For emergency calls where stopping is impossible, or remote-controlled parking functions, exemptions may be granted.
Highways England tested high-definition cameras to take photos of drivers through windscreens.
These could theoretically be attached to overhead gantries and drivers who violate them would receive prosecution notices, in much the same manner as speeding tickets. This is not yet being implemented.
Mary Williams, chief executive of road safety charity Brake, called the announcement, which coincides with Road Safety Week, ‘very welcome’. She added: ‘Driver distraction can be deadly and using a hand-held phone at the wheel is never worth the risk.
‘This news is particularly welcomed by families suffering bereavement and catastrophic injury due to drivers being distracted by phones.’
AA president Edmund King said: ‘By making mobile phone use as socially unacceptable as drink-driving, we are taking big steps to make our roads safer.
‘For years, the AA has campaigned hard and helped educate drivers to the dangers from bad mobile phone use.
‘To help ensure drivers get the message, we also need more cops in cars to help catch and deter those still tempted to pick up.’