Using Mobile Phone For These Reasons While Driving In UK To Become Illegal

It is already illegal to text or make a phone call using a hand-held device while driving, but from next year, laws in UK will also ban drivers from using phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games.

Drivers using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, for any purpose, will face penalties after the UK government announced a strengthening of existing laws on road safety on Friday.

It is already illegal to text or make a phone call (other than in an emergency) using a hand-held device while driving. From next year, laws will go further to ban drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games.

This will mean anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a 200-pound fixed penalty notice and 6 penalty points on their licence, half the number that leads to licence revocation in the country.

"Too many deaths and injuries occur while mobile phones are being held. By making it easier to prosecute people illegally using their phone at the wheel, we are ensuring the law is brought into the 21st century while further protecting all road users," said UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.