What you need to know. 

WHAT IS THE LAW CONCERNING USING MOBILES WHILE DRIVING? 

Ordinarily it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device – such as a sat nav or camera – while driving or riding a motorcycle. 

These rules apply even while stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. 

Motorists can only use a hand-held mobile in the case of a genuine emergency that requires a 999/112 call and it is not safe or impractical to pull over and park. 

Drivers are obliged to remain in full control of their vehicles at all time. 

If a police officer feels the motorist is not in full control because they are tuning their radio or using a sat-nav or phone in a cradle, they can face prosecution. 

Drivers supervising learner drivers or riders are also banned from using hand-held de- vices despite being in a the passenger seat. 

Motorists can only use a hand-held device if their car is safely parked in an appropriate location. 

Pulling over to the hard shoulder to take or make a call could result in prosecution. 

Breaching the legislation can result in 6 penalty points and a fine of £200.
If the case goes to court, the driver or rider could face a ban and a maximum fine of £1,000. Drivers of buses or goods vehicles face higher fines of £2,500.
Motorists with their phones or sat navs attached to their windscreens can also face prosecution, if the area swept by the windscreen wipers is obscured.