Car insurance: Motorists still flouting mobile laws

Monday, 01 March 2010

Despite tougher penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, many motorists are still flouting the law, according to a new survey.

This is despite the risk of invalidating their car insurance policy by using a phone while on the road.

Further, since February 2007, the fixed penalty for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving has included the award of three penalty points plus a fine of £60.

However, a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 motorists revealed 31 per cent had taken a call while driving, and 28 per cent had read text messages at the wheel.

The survey also showed five per cent of drivers had read a post on Facebook or Twitter, three per cent had checked their emails and two per cent had used the internet while driving.

Some drivers tried to justify in-car internet usage by claiming they only used their phone when in stationary traffic or at traffic lights, though this is still illegal.

Halfords expert, Clare Pritchard, pointed out that the only way to use a mobile phone legally in a car is by installing a hands-free device.

Posted by Noel Martin

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