Post by neil6147 on Feb 20, 2007 23:59:14 GMT 10
Just to let any of the Forum members know that a new DRIVING LAW which takes effect as of next week.
The use of Mobile Phones Whilst In Charge Of A Vehicle.
I feel it best to remind our members who be visiting this country before they a caught under this law.
DYING TO TAKE THE CALL
One week today drivers caught using their hand-held mobiles while driving will receive three penalty points on their licence and face a £60 fine.
In support of the new legislation Lothian and Borders Police will be running a week long zero tolerance period of enforcement from 27th February. Throughout the force area Road Policing officers will focus on mobile phone offences by carrying out static road checks, using spotters where appropriate and by using marked and unmarked police vehicles. The officers will also promote the national campaign through educating drivers and giving out leaflets entitled 'Dying to take the call?'
Inspector Colin Shillito of Lothian and Borders Police Road Policing, said:
'The message is simple. It is illegal to use a hands held mobile phone whilst driving. This means you may not use your mobile phone when you are stopped at traffic lights, when you are queuing in traffic, to receive calls, pictures, text messages or to access the internet.
'Drivers caught will face a £60 fine and an extra three points on their licence which can also lead to higher insurance costs.
'The penalties are the same for drivers failing to maintain proper control of their car whilst using a hands-free phone.
'Employers that require employees to make or receive calls while driving can also be prosecuted.
'The best advice to all drivers is to switch off your mobile phone before you drive off.'
Paul Richardson, Lothian and Borders Police Road Safety Manager, said:
'There are a growing number of reports involving serious accidents caused by drivers who were not able to concentrate on the road because they were using a mobile phone.
'It is hard to do two things at once. Research shows that if you are using your mobile phone while driving you are four times more likely to have a crash.
'If you use any type of mobile phone (hands-free or hand-held) while driving, your reaction times are worse than if you drive under the influence of alcohol.
'The best advice is to switch off before you drive off. You can use your voicemail, message service or call diversion so you can pick up your messages later. Only use your phone after you have stopped in a safe place.'
Mobile Phone Survey
Between the 22nd January and 12th February, Lothian and Borders Police Road Safety Officers carried out a number of roadside observational surveys to record the number of drivers using mobile phones whilst driving.
Observations were carried out at 16 sites across the force area.
A total of 5,600 vehicles were observed over a period of just over 8 hours.
· Overall 1.8% of the vehicles (total of 99 vehicles) observed had a driver using a hand held mobile phone at the time.
Spread over the 8 hours this works out at one driving offence every 5 minutes.
· Worst offenders were van and lorry drivers. One in every 22 were seen to be using a mobile phone (4.7% of all goods vehicles). The rates were three times that for car drivers.
· One in every 75 car drivers were seen to be using a mobile phone whilst driving (1.3%)
Paul Richardson, added:
'It is clear from these results that operators of goods vehicles are the worst offenders of using a mobile phone whilst driving. Employers need to ensure not only do they have policies in place regarding the use of mobile phones whilst driving for business but also ensure that employees do not flaunt these policies.'
I hope this is of a help to anyone planning to travel in Britian.
Neil
The use of Mobile Phones Whilst In Charge Of A Vehicle.
I feel it best to remind our members who be visiting this country before they a caught under this law.
DYING TO TAKE THE CALL
One week today drivers caught using their hand-held mobiles while driving will receive three penalty points on their licence and face a £60 fine.
In support of the new legislation Lothian and Borders Police will be running a week long zero tolerance period of enforcement from 27th February. Throughout the force area Road Policing officers will focus on mobile phone offences by carrying out static road checks, using spotters where appropriate and by using marked and unmarked police vehicles. The officers will also promote the national campaign through educating drivers and giving out leaflets entitled 'Dying to take the call?'
Inspector Colin Shillito of Lothian and Borders Police Road Policing, said:
'The message is simple. It is illegal to use a hands held mobile phone whilst driving. This means you may not use your mobile phone when you are stopped at traffic lights, when you are queuing in traffic, to receive calls, pictures, text messages or to access the internet.
'Drivers caught will face a £60 fine and an extra three points on their licence which can also lead to higher insurance costs.
'The penalties are the same for drivers failing to maintain proper control of their car whilst using a hands-free phone.
'Employers that require employees to make or receive calls while driving can also be prosecuted.
'The best advice to all drivers is to switch off your mobile phone before you drive off.'
Paul Richardson, Lothian and Borders Police Road Safety Manager, said:
'There are a growing number of reports involving serious accidents caused by drivers who were not able to concentrate on the road because they were using a mobile phone.
'It is hard to do two things at once. Research shows that if you are using your mobile phone while driving you are four times more likely to have a crash.
'If you use any type of mobile phone (hands-free or hand-held) while driving, your reaction times are worse than if you drive under the influence of alcohol.
'The best advice is to switch off before you drive off. You can use your voicemail, message service or call diversion so you can pick up your messages later. Only use your phone after you have stopped in a safe place.'
Mobile Phone Survey
Between the 22nd January and 12th February, Lothian and Borders Police Road Safety Officers carried out a number of roadside observational surveys to record the number of drivers using mobile phones whilst driving.
Observations were carried out at 16 sites across the force area.
A total of 5,600 vehicles were observed over a period of just over 8 hours.
· Overall 1.8% of the vehicles (total of 99 vehicles) observed had a driver using a hand held mobile phone at the time.
Spread over the 8 hours this works out at one driving offence every 5 minutes.
· Worst offenders were van and lorry drivers. One in every 22 were seen to be using a mobile phone (4.7% of all goods vehicles). The rates were three times that for car drivers.
· One in every 75 car drivers were seen to be using a mobile phone whilst driving (1.3%)
Paul Richardson, added:
'It is clear from these results that operators of goods vehicles are the worst offenders of using a mobile phone whilst driving. Employers need to ensure not only do they have policies in place regarding the use of mobile phones whilst driving for business but also ensure that employees do not flaunt these policies.'
I hope this is of a help to anyone planning to travel in Britian.
Neil
