Drivers back tougher penalties

Almost 90% of motorists would like to see tougher penalties for using a phone behind the wheel.

This is according to a new survey of more than 2,000 motorists carried out by Motorpoint.

It found 86.4% of people would like to see the police be given greater powers to penalise anyone caught holding their phone while driving. Over 8,000 drivers are convicted every year of this offence in England and Wales.

Mark Carpenter, managing director of Motorpoint, said, ‘The dangers of using your mobile phone while driving are well-documented but even though the penalties for doing so have been toughened up in recent years they don’t seem to be proving a sufficient deterrent based on recent statistics – even with the widespread availability of integrated hands free technology in most cars.

‘It’s clear from the results of our new poll that other road users would like to see more powers given to the authorities to ensure the message gets through to drivers that holding your mobile phone while behind the wheel is simply no longer acceptable in 2019 and anyone who continues to do so can expect to receive even harsher punishments.’

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