Check what you know
Did you know?
Best practice tips
Check what you know
Did you know?
- Mobile devices are a major distraction but they are not the only one.
- Distractions can include eating, drinking, setting satnav, radios etc – anything that takes your eyes off the road or distracts your concentration on driving.
- Distraction is a major cause of collisions with drivers 4 times more likely to be in a crash if using a mobile device (even hands free).
Drivers must not text, make calls, play games, scroll through playlists, take photos or videos, or browse the web while driving. An offence is triggered whenever a driver holds and uses a device, regardless of why they are holding it.
It is illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data while driving. If caught doing so, drivers can face fines of up to £1,000, receive 6 points on their licence, or a full driving ban.
Many employers will also discipline drivers for doing so and it will increase the cost of vehicle insurance.
Just reading a text or email takes a driver’s eyes off the road for at least 5 seconds.
Best practice tips
- If using hands-free devices, make sure they are fully set up before starting to drive.
- Only use hands-free devices when you are happy it is safe to do so.
- Always ensure a clear view of the windscreen and road ahead.
- Do not hold or interact with a mobile device while driving.
- Where possible, switch mobile phones to a form of safe-driving mode e.g. silent mode or switched off.
- Using a mobile phone for navigation is legal, as long as it is kept in a cradle and not in the driver’s hand.
The government has implemented the penalty of life imprisonment by causing death whilst driving when using a hand-held device.
Although the law allows drivers to use their phone while driving, if it is properly set up as a hands-free device, your employer’s policy may not allow this.
Hands-free devices attached to the windscreen or dashboard should not obscure the driver’s view of the road. Drivers can get 3 penalty points if they do not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle.
Distracted drivers who cause death by dangerous driving face life imprisonment, unlimited fine and obligatory 5 year minimum driving ban.
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This information sheet is free for employers to download and distribute to their drivers.
It may not be amended in any way | Copyright 2022 National Highways.