Phones in cars can have many benefits. They provide security and help in an emergency. However, they are distracting if used when driving and this increases the risk of a crash. It is hard to do two things at once and to drive safely you must concentrate on the road.

Switch off before you drive off

It is now illegal (from 1st December 2003) to use a hend held mobile phone* when driving, even when you are stopped at traffic lights or in a queue of traffic. This includes making or receiving calls, pictures, text messaging or accessing the internet. You must pull over to a safe location.

Risk using a hand-held mobile phone when driving, and you risk a fine.

Mobile phones and the law

Driving when using a hand-held mobile phone is now illegal and you may be fined £30. This can be increased to a maximum of £1,000 (£2,500 for drivers of vans, lorries, buses and coaches) if the matter goes to court.

Picking up or using any type of phone or similar device that is, or must be, held to operate it, would be breaking the law.

You can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free mobile phone if you fail to have proper control of your vehicle.

Drive carelessly or dangerously when using any phone and the penalties can include disqualification, a large fine, and up to two years imprisonment.

Drivers

Image of DfT leaflet

Even if you are a careful driver, you will still be distracted by a phone call or text message. Your concentration and anticipation will be affected.

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving.
Keep your phone switched off when driving and use your voicemail, a message service or call diversion so that messages can be left for you when your phone is switched off.
Only use your mobile phone after you have stopped in a safe place. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
You may think a hands-free phone will enable you to have control of your vehicle, but your mind will not be fully on your driving. It is not like talking to a passenger who is aware of the traffic conditions and can see what is happening when you are driving.
Avoid taking calls on a hands-free phone. But if you must, say you are driving and end the conversation quickly. Otherwise you will put yourself and other road users at risk.
You may use a mobile phone when driving for help in an emergency**. On a motorway it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone, as the emergency services will be able to locate you easily.

Employers

Do not ask your staff to make or receive calls when they are driving.
As an employer you may also be prosecuted if you require your employees to use a mobile phone when driving**.
If it is essential for your staff to be contacted when they are driving, tell them to use voicemail, a message service or call diversion and to stop regul;arly to check messages and return calls.

* 2-way radios are not covered by this offence but other devices for sending or receiving data are included if they are held when driving.

** It is not an offence to use a hand-held phone for calling the emergency services on 999 or 112 in response to a genuine emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop driving to make a call.

*** It is an offence to cause or permit to cause the use of a hand-held mobile phone when driving or to cause or permit to cause a driver not to have proper control of a vehicle.

Source: DfT leaflet T/INF/885

Guidance on this subject, Driving with mobile phones: frequently asked questions, is available at (External) www.dft.gov.uk (external link - see site terms)

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