New rules tightening up mobile phone use at the wheel are now effective from today.

The new legislation closes a previous loophole and means drivers are now breaking the law if they use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for any use

The new legislation (full details here) means drivers are now breaking the law if they use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for any reason, including scrolling through playlists, playing games, or taking photos. Anyone caught using a hand-held device while driving could face a fine of up to £1,000 as well as six points on their licence or a full driving ban.

The new legislation closes a previous loophole that enabled people caught filming or taking photos while driving to escape punishment as lawyers had successfully argued this activity did not fit into the ‘interactive communication’ previously outlawed by the legislation.

Jason Wakeford, head of campaigns for road safety charity Brake, said: “Until now, the law has simply not kept pace with the way in which we use smartphones, so the closing of this dangerous loophole is very welcome.

“Figures show that using a mobile phone at the wheel makes reaction times even slower than when driving under the influence of alcohol, so it’s vital that we always give the road our full attention. Brake supports the families of road crash victims, including those who have had lives torn apart because someone did not pay proper attention to their driving. The temptation of looking at a phone can never be worth someone’s life.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has also welcomed the move and said 80% of the public supported the law change in a recent consultation.

In 2020, government statistics showed that 17 people were killed and a further 97 were seriously injured in accidents where the use of a mobile phone was a contributory factor.

RoSPA road safety manager England, Rebecca Needham said: “The change in the law and updates to the Highway Code further underscore the importance of clear and enforceable penalties for distracted drivers and this will help change the belief that holding a phone is consequence-free. Using a mobile phone behind the wheel has been shown to reflect a deep-seated and irresponsible attitude rather than an in-the-moment reaction.”