If there’s one thing you're taught from day one of driving, it’s to remain focused. At the end of 2016 the NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council) held a campaign in the UK, to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of using your mobile phone when driving. The campaign saw communities and police forces single out areas and people committing the offence.

New Legislation for Mobile Phone Driving Offences

The law about using a mobile phone whilst driving is changing in March 2017. A new fine of £200 (double the current fine) will be issued to drivers caught using their phone whilst driving. The driver will also receive six penalty points (double the current penalty points issued) on their licence. Receiving six points within the first two years of holding a full driving licence means an automatic ban.

The NPCC Campaign Against Mobile Phones Whilst Driving

The campaign, being led by the NPCC, is happening all this week. Several key operations are being carried out, these include:

• Unmarked vans carrying out targeted patrols.
• Local authorities and emergency services working together to help deter mobile phone usage whilst driving.
• New digital campaigns.
• Community spotters, who will whistle blow the most common areas for the offence.
• Advisement on the new penalties set to be introduced.

Using your phone whilst driving is very dangerous and a serious crackdown is needed.

Research from Brake: Using a Mobile Phone Whilst Driving

In light of new research by Brake, the road safety charity, it’s apparent that people are still not taking this offence seriously enough:

• 55% of drivers, aged 25 -34, admitted to sending a text whist driving, with 49% saying they go online or use apps whilst driving
• 1 in 5 young drivers (18-24) said they regularly text or instant message whilst driving

An effort to stop people from using their mobile phone whilst driving is still needed.

Expecting Similar Results

When the same campaign ran at the end of last year, 36 police forces took part. Nearly 8,000 offences were recorded, around 7,800 fixed penalty notices were issued, and 68 court summons were requested. If Brake’s findings are correct, we are likely to see similar (if not higher) results than last year. Hopefully, the result of the campaign is that fewer people will take the risk of driving with their mobile phones out. Do you have any thoughts about the NPCC campaign or changes to the legislation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.