PSA: Starting today, anyone.....

Emp_Fab

..caught driving with a phone in their hand will get SIX points on their licence and a £200 fine.

I've seen at least four people do it today.

Six is a lot of points - and they're valid for three years.

fretmeister

Good. About time.

Nitefly

And if you've been driving for less than 2 years, 6 points loses your license for you, so re-test required.

Let's hope it makes a difference.

Moe_Zambeek

I'd make it an instant ban, like drink driving. It's just as bad for concentration and any lesser penalty will make minimal difference.

starwarsnosebleed

There should be even harsher penalties. There actually is NO excuse for putting others life in danger.

octatonic

Good. Too many friends have been knocked off their bikes by inattentive drivers.

Teetonetal

It's fucking dangerous. Should be an instant ban + big fine. No excuse to do it.

Emp_Fab

I seriously doubt it will have much of an effect.  The government have underestimated the lure of the little screen.  Much like drink-drivers, the penalty doesn't act as a deterrent to those who think it's ok to drink and drive.  I think people who don't drink and drive do so because they know it's a dangerous thing to do - not because they fear getting banned and fined.  I think the majority of people who play with their phones whilst driving are going to carry on doing it, albeit trying to be more secretive about it. 

I saw a woman eating a bowl of cereal whilst driving the other morning.... steering with her knees.

quarky

starwarsnosebleed

Emp_Fab said: 

I saw a woman eating a bowl of cereal whilst driving the other morning.... steering with her knees.

Bollocks...a woman who can actually multi-task.
I bet you nearly spilt your pint!

ThePrettyDamned

fretmeister said:

Good. About time.

Indeed. 

I'd argue it's not hard enough even. 

guitarfishbay

Good. I hope it makes some difference, it won't stop it but it's a step in the right direction

Sporky

I've taught myself to hold my phone in one foot.

ThePrettyDamned

Sporky said:

I've taught myself to hold my phone in one foot.

Truly a Sporky solution. 

DesVegas

There have been many times where I've wanted to take a photo of someone driving using their phone but then i'd be just the same as them.

Bastards

stimpsonslostson

I regularly count how many I see on my 7k ride home. Tonight it was 6. The record is 14.
You see all sorts of things if you're on the roads enough... If a car is gradually creeping into the cycle lane it's generally folk with the phone in one hand down in their lap. 
Do the cops accept GoPro footage? If they split the fine with me I could finally give up my day job!

MatthewShreddery

Can only be a good thing surely. There are so many absolute dickheads on the roads, any steps to help improve safety are welcomed.

thermionic

It was illegal before, it's illegal now with a slightly heftier penalty.

The problem is police aren't interested in catching them. Not sure that will change?

ronnyb

I'm not sure that they're not interested in catching them more a case of there aren't enough Police officers now and they've more pressing things to do. I can only speak for Lancashire but before the cuts there were plenty of traffic cars about but you very rarely see one now and I can't remember when I last saw a traffic car on the motorway in Lancashire. There always seem to be plenty of the Highways Agency traffic officers vehicles but they have no powers to enforce the law.

thermionic said:

It was illegal before, it's illegal now with a slightly heftier penalty.

The problem is police aren't interested in catching them. Not sure that will change?

digitalscream

thermionic said:

It was illegal before, it's illegal now with a slightly heftier penalty.

The problem is police aren't interested in catching them. Not sure that will change?

Perhaps because the Police are the worst offenders; they certainly are around here.