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Charity welcomes tougher
penalties for mobile phone use behind the wheel
THE government has introduced on 1 March
2017
tougher penalties for those caught using mobile phones when driving. Points on a
driving licence have doubled, from 3 to 6 and the penalty fine has increased
from £100, to £200.
The move has been generally welcomed by road safety charity, Brake, but it warns
that the fine is still too low, and it remains concerned about the Police having
enough resources to enforce the new law.
Gary Rae, campaigns director for Brake, said:- "The increase in the points
is very welcome. However, when you realise that you can be fined £1,000 for not
having a TV Licence, then the £200 fine for illegally using a mobile looks
woefully inadequate.
We're also very concerned about the ever dwindling number of roads Traffic Police. Their numbers have fallen by almost a
3rd since 2010. There are now
approximately 3,700 specialist Traffic Officers in England and Wales. We want
the UK Government to look again at this, and make roads policing a national
priority." |
