WEBBO’S COMMENT OF THE WEEK: NEW DRIVING LAW

Today is the day (1^st March) that the new driving legislation comes into place in England, Scotland, and Wales. This legislation means that if you are caught with your mobile phone or similar smart device, whether it be at the wheel, in traffic, or waiting at traffic lights, you will be given a £200 on the spot fine and 6 points on your licence. New drivers, or drivers who have passed their test in the last two years, will have their licence revoked and must take their practical and theory test again.

This week there will be a 7-day crackdown with the new legislation having been put in place and police will have an “increased focus” on mobile phone users. The last time there was a crackdown week, 3,600 drivers were issued penalties for being on their phones.

In 2015 the number of people killed because of a driver using their phone, reached 22 people with 99 people seriously injured. Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, has said that this legislation will act as a “strong deterrent” towards drivers who use their phone while driving or are thinking about using their mobiles. Grayling said, “it may seem innocent, but holding and using your phone at the wheel risks serious injury and even death to yourself and other road users.” (BBC)

Here at Industrial Personnel, we completely support and are in favour of this legislation. We of course want everyone to stay as safe as they can when driving on the roads. Banning the use of mobile phones will prevent so many careless accidents from happening and will save countless lives.