UK bans drivers from using mobiles

UK government says drivers using phones cause thousands of accidents Story Tools

LONDON, England -- UK road safety campaigners have welcomed a decision by the government to slap motorists with hefty fines if they are caught using hand-held mobile phones while driving.

But some groups have criticized the government for not also banning drivers from using hands-free kits while behind the wheel.

From December 1, drivers found using mobile phones could face an initial fine of £30 ($40), followed by a maximum penalty of £1,000 if the case goes to court.

"We are all too familiar with the sight of people driving a long while holding and talking on their mobile phones," UK Transport Minister David Jamieson said Tuesday.

"Our decision to introduce this new offence will make the roads safer for us all. Missing a call won't kill you, an accident quite possibly could," he said.

There were more than 3,450 road deaths in the UK last year, according to the Department for Transport. Research shows that motorists are four times more likely to have an accident if they are using a phone, the government said.

Andrew Howard, head of road safety for the Automobile Association Motoring Trust (AA), welcomed the ban.

"This is a practical approach to deal with the issue of driving while using a mobile phone," he said.

"We are glad that the government is not introducing a ban on hands-free as it would be difficult to enforce without banning the sale of the kits and ordering their removal from cars."

Howard added: "If motorists are stuck in stationary traffic then we see no reason for not making a call to say that they may be late."

Hands-free phones also criticized

But the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) said 20 road deaths and thousands more accidents have been caused by using mobiles -- including hands-free kits.

"It is the telephone conversation that is the main problem -- people are drawn into the conversation and ignore what is happening on the road around them," said Kevin Clinton, the head of road safety for ROSPA.

"We are worried that the powerful mobile phone industry will use the new law as an opportunity to market hands-free kits claiming they are safe, when in fact they are not," Clinton said.

The Royal Automobile Association (RAC) said the new legislation was not enough and the government would struggle to enforce the ban and change public attitude.

"If the perception that everyone else is to blame for poor driving while using a hands-free mobile behind the wheel goes unchallenged, some motorists may well simply opt to take their chances and gamble on not being caught," said RAC spokeswoman Rebecca Bell.

Bell said what constitutes a hands-free kit needed to be defined.

"Many responsible motorists have already fitted hands-free devices to their cars in conjunction with an ear piece," she said.

"If they are suddenly told that those are not legal, and that they have to shell out again for another kit, will they bother to change? They should not be penalized."

Under current UK legislation, drivers face prosecution for dangerous driving if, by using a phone, they do not have proper control of their vehicle.

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