You could be issued six penalty points on your licence for breaking this rule
If you’re caught breaking this rule you could be hit with a costly fine (Image: Getty)
Drivers could risk a fine of up to £1,000 for a certain habit while stuck in traffic. You may not realise that even if your car has completely stopped, it’s still illegal to check your phone.
The Government warns that using your mobile phone or sat nav while not fully “safely parked” could result in a fine of up to £1,000 and a ban from driving.
This is because it is actually illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle.
As a result, you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline.
This includes texting, making calls, taking photos or videos, or browsing the web.
Checking your phone while stuck in traffic is illegal (Image: Getty)
The law also still applies to you if you’re:
- Waiting at traffic lights
- Queuing in traffic
- Supervising a learner driver
- Driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving
- Holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode
If you are caught doing any of the above, you could be issued six penalty points on your licence. It can also result in a fine of £200. The penalties are tougher if you’re a new driver, as you’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last two years.
In some cases, you can also be taken to court, where you can:
- Be banned from driving or riding
- Get a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus)
Exceptions
There are exceptions to these rules. You can use a device held in your hand if:
- You need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency, and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop
- You’re safely parked
- You’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example, at a drive-through restaurant
- You’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely
You can also use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage. Examples of hands-free access include:
- A Bluetooth headset
- Voice command
- A dashboard holder or mat
- A windscreen mount
- A built-in sat nav
- However, the device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.
The Government website says: “You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.”
