Phone penalties to double for drivers

Drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel could soon face tougher penalties.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin is reportedly drawing up plans to double the number of points on a licence for the offence to six.

The change would mean that motorists could effectively lose their licenses if they were to be caught twice for using mobiles while driving.

Currently mobile usage at the wheel – which has been illegal since 2003 - comes with a three point penalty and a £100 fine.

Even if the car is stationary but the engine is still running, it is against the law.

Recent research found that texting at the wheel is more dangerous than drink-driving, prompting AA president Edmund King to tell the press: "There's no doubt that far too many motorists still flout the law despite the threat of three penalty points and a £100 fine.

"Many people seem addicted to their phones and cannot resist tweeting or texting at the wheel.

"But doubling the fines will not on its own stop drivers using their phones.
"You need cops in cars to enforce the law and in the past decade there has been a 20 per cent cut in the number of dedicated traffic police."

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