Brits may get really tough on mobile phones
Date: 2002-08-20
The British government plans to introduce legislation banning the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving - even if stopped at an intersection or in a traffic jam. Citing a recent study by the Transport Research Laboratory which found that a driver travelling at 70 mph who was using a mobile had a breaking distance that was 46ft longer than one who was not, and 33ft more than that of a drunken driver, the UK Department for Transport is proposing a law that sets a standard 30-pound (US$45) fine for mobile phone use. However, the law will exempt use of hands-free phones.
Britain already has laws governing failure to control and careless or dangerous driving. However, a 'higher level of enforcement' would be expected if a specific offence is introduced for using a handheld mobile phone on the road.
Under the new rules, even brief conversations would be banned, such as a motorist asking a caller to hold while he pulls over, and there would be no exemptions for emergency services, although transport officials will consult on such details
A consultation paper being published today justifies the exemption of hands-free phones by saying that to ban their use would be unenforceable. It says that they also do not require the driver to alter position significantly in relation to the steering wheel.
The Department for Transport said that the Transport Research Laboratory surveys had found that 2.2 per cent of motorists used mobiles while driving in April, up from 1.5 per cent in November 2000.
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