Road phone use penalties could rise

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Motorists caught flouting the ban on using mobile phones at the wheel could soon pick up more penalty points.

Drivers found using a phone illegally on the road face a £60 fine and three points, but this could be increased under new proposals being considered by the Government.

The existing regulations were introduced in February 2007.

The Department for Transport said its national survey showed a 35% fall in drivers using a phone since penalties were increased.

"If our new survey - due to be released in February - shows an increase in the number of drivers using hand-held mobile phones, then we will need to consider increasing penalty points as part of our new road safety strategy."

Reaction times when using a hand-held phone are 30% worse than when driving under the influence of alcohol at the legal limit, said the department website.

Drivers who reach six points within two years of passing their test risk having their licence revoked and needing to resit the test.

Those caught without insurance risk being handed between six and eight penalty points, and a fine of up to £5,000.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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