PFCC Welcomes New Laws on using mobile phones whilst driving
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner welcomes the new laws making the use of mobile phones for any purpose whilst driving illegal and will continue to promote safety on our roads. In Essex, we are all working towards reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads. This is in line with Vision Zero which is the ambitious initiative to achieve zero road deaths in the county in the next 20 years.
From the 25th of March, the new laws will come into force and it will be illegal to:
- illuminate the screen
- check notifications and look for the time
- access the internet
- make, receive, or reject a telephone or text or photo
- use the camera, video, or sound recording functions
One new exemption will be in place: drivers will be able to use a mobile to pay for goods and services while seated in their car and when their vehicle is stationary; this includes paying a car park fee.
Using a phone as a satnav will be allowed, but only if it is docked in a cradle.
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing in Essex said:
“Every driver needs to know about this change.
“The new law is very clear and will mean that whenever a driver holds or uses a mobile while they are driving, they will be breaking the law.
“It means you can be issued a fixed penalty notice for scrolling for music, videoing or taking photos and not just using a mobile to make or take a phone call.
“Just picking it up could see you break the law.
“Some drivers feel they can drive safely whilst using a mobile, but distraction creeps in. If you are looking at and concentrating on your mobile’s screen, you are not looking at or concentrating on the road ahead, and that could have serious consequences for all road users.
“We want the roads in Essex to be the safest they can be and we want everyone to play their part in that.
“If the thing that you want to do can wait, then wait.
“Don’t risk your life or the life of someone else just to do something that isn’t very important in the grand scheme of things.”
Find out more here: Law change: using mobiles while driving | Essex Police
