New crackdown: Phone use behind the wheel now hits harder
From today (Wednesday, March 1), Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police join a nationwide blitz to nail drivers caught using handheld phones behind the wheel. New tough laws mean harsher penalties for anyone breaking the rules.
Six points and £200 fine: The new punishment
Drivers caught fiddling with their handheld device while driving will now get six penalty points and a £200 fine. This doubles the previous punishment of three points and £100. For young drivers, a first offence could now see their licence taken away – a major game changer.
No escape: Fixed penalties and scrapped courses
During the enforcement week (March 1-7), no one will dodge a fixed penalty notice for using a handheld phone at the wheel. The usual option to attend the NDORS (National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme) course instead of paying the fine is off the table.
From March 8, Thames Valley and Hampshire police will no longer routinely offer these awareness courses as alternatives unless exceptional circumstances apply, leaving offenders with little wiggle room.
Shocking stats underline the risk
Between 2014 and 2016, 56 crashes in Hampshire involved drivers using a mobile phone – causing 4 deaths and 73 injuries. Over the same period, 14,651 tickets were issued for phone use while driving. The message is clear: this dangerous habit costs lives.
Police issue stark warning
Superintendent Simon Dodds, Head of the Joint Roads Policing Unit, said: “There is never an excuse for someone to be using their mobile phone while driving and this change in legislation sends a clear message that it will not be tolerated. “This toughened stance better reflects the seriousness of such behaviour. My officers witness the devastation caused by drivers who ignore the risks – lives lost, families shattered from a simple call, text, or search for music. “The safest option is to put your phone down, switch it to silent, and keep it out of sight so you aren’t tempted. Using a mobile while driving should be as unacceptable as drink-driving because the consequences can be deadly.”
The bottom line? Don’t risk it. Put your phone away when you drive – your life and others depend on it.
