In a world where we are becoming increasingly dependent on our mobile devices for 'staying in touch' it should come as no surprise that using a mobile phone while driving is becoming more and more the excepted 'norm', especially among young inexperienced drivers who know that it's illegal but are prepared to take the risk of getting caught. Currently being caught using a mobile in the car has a £100 fine and 3 points on the licence, but under new proposals the government is looking to increase that to 6 points and a £200 fine. This would mean that a driver holding a full licence for less than 2 years would automatically get a ban and be made to re-take both the theory and practical driving tests again. It's hoped that this new system will make all drivers but especially newly qualified ones think twice before using a mobile phone on the move.
Do I agree with this new harder line? Absolutely. Most new drivers suffer from the over confidence thing and always assume it won't happen to them. We've all been there. But the distraction of a mobile device in a car is something that needs to be tackled head on before it results in a head on collision. Will it prove an effective deterrent to todays mobile addicted drivers, only time will tell. The new rules should come into force in 2017.
Do I agree with this new harder line? Absolutely. Most new drivers suffer from the over confidence thing and always assume it won't happen to them. We've all been there. But the distraction of a mobile device in a car is something that needs to be tackled head on before it results in a head on collision. Will it prove an effective deterrent to todays mobile addicted drivers, only time will tell. The new rules should come into force in 2017.