News

24 August 2007
THINK TWICE - YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!

Scottish drivers are failing to get the message about using mobile phones six months after tough new penalties were introduced by the Department of Transport.

To help drive home that message, Scottish police forces will be conducting a mobile phone campaign on Monday 27 August 2007, to help motorists remember that drivers will now have three penalty points put on their licence and face a fine of £60, if they are caught using a mobile phone whilst driving.

Any cases that reach court could, in addition to the three penalty points, involve discretionary disqualification and a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 in the case of the driver of a bus/coach or goods vehicle).

The Scottish Police Service has been enforcing the law banning the use of hand-held mobiles whilst driving since it was implemented in 2003; however, additional penalties that came into force on 27 February extend the legislation to not having proper control of a vehicle - an offence that could also be committed by the driver by being distracted by using a hands-free mobile phone kit.

Chief Constable John Vine (Tayside Police), Chair of ACPOS Road Policing Business Area, said:

‘‘It has been six months since this legislation was implemented to drive home the message that it is not only foolish to use a hand-held phone whilst driving but highly dangerous to do anything that detracts from a driver’s ability to maintain proper control of the vehicle.

“That’s long enough for Scottish motorists to adjust their driving habits to comply with the new legislation.  For those who have forgotten about it, we’ll be there on Monday to remind you like you’ve never been reminded before!

“The Scottish Police Service and the Scottish Executive have put a great deal of effort into education and enforcement with the aim of making Scotland’s roads safer by stopping people from using hand-held mobile phones whilst driving.

‘‘Divert your call, not your attention,” he stressed.  “The consequences could be disastrous, if you take you eyes off the road or are distracted - even for a split second - because of your mobile phone.

“Talk on your hand-held phone while driving and you will be fined, get penalty points or even disqualified.  These tougher penalties, allied to robust enforcement, should make people think twice,’’ Chief Constable Vine concluded.