DRIVERS caught chatting on their mobile phone will face bigger fines and three penalty points from the end of next month, it was announced yesterday.
Douglas Alexander, the Transport Secretary, said the increased punishments reflected the serious danger caused by the offence.
He insisted there had been a "groundswell" of public support for the law since its introduction in 2003, but 21 per cen
t of motorists still admitted to breaking it.
"That is why, from 27 February, the Road Safety Act will introduce a tougher fixed penalty of three points on your licence as well as a £60 fine," Mr Alexander said.
"Research shows that talking on a mobile phone while driving affects your concentration and ability to react to dangerous situations. It's quite simple - it's impossible to do two things at once and do them well."
Currently the fine for using a mobile phone while driving is £30, with no penalty points.
A television, radio and internet campaign to highlight the dangers of, and penalties for, driving while using a phone is being launched.
Home Office figures for 2004 show that nearly 74,000 fixed-penalty notices were handed out for illegal use of a mobile while driving.
If the police or the motorist chooses to go to court rather than pay the penalty, the maximum fine is £1,000 for car offences and £2,500 for vans, lorries, buses and coaches.
Research by the Lib Dems has suggested that only around one in a hundred offenders are caught.
Kevin Clinton, Head of Road Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "Far too many motorists have been ignoring the mobile phone law and risking their own lives and those of others on the roads around them.
"We believe the threat of points on a licence and an increased fine will give this legislation new teeth."
The full article contains 320 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
