A recent survey conducted by MyCarNeedsA, found that six per cent of drivers checked social media while driving, and 20 per cent still used their phones to make calls – despite both carrying a heavier penalty than ever before.
The penalty for driving whilst using a mobile device has doubled and you will now receive six points and a £200 fine if you are caught. But that’s not all, you can be taken to court where you could be banned from driving and get a maximum fine of £1,000. The fine increases to £2,500 if you are driving a lorry or bus. If you are a driver with less than 2 years’ experience you may lose your licence and be forced to resit your test.
At DF Communications’ we want drivers to know the safest ways to use their device while on the move. We can assist in making sure your hands-free kit is connected ensuring you avoid any driving penalties. If you have no hands-free kit we can supply and install many options. We also provide parking sensors, trackers, dash cams, DAB Radios and a wide range of in car technology.
What you can and can’t do whilst driving? Here is some information from the Government website, www.gov.uk :
You can use your phone to listen to music via Bluetooth, providing you don’t use your phone to change the music.
You can use your phone provided you are using a hands-free kit such as Bluetooth headset, voice command or a dashboard holder. The law still applies even if you are at traffic lights, queuing in traffic or supervising a learner driver.
You can use your phone as Satnav if it is in a handsfree cradle, and preprogrammed before setting off. If you are distracted by a text or phone call while driving, you can be prosecuted.
You can’t hold your phone on loudspeaker, or hold a microphone connected to your phone.
Even if you follow the rules and stay legal, the Police can still stop you if they think you are distracted by your phone. In 2015 alone, there were 22 fatal accidents linked to mobile phone usage and between 2010 and 2015 there were at least 2100 accidents that were caused by drivers using their mobile. This number should be much less considering the law has been in place since 2001.
Here is a challenge from the THINK! safety campaign where you can test yourself to see if you really can do 2 things at once!
http://think.direct.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/index.html
Give us a call today to check your safely set up – 01224 588844.
DF Communications
DF Communications is a respected mobile and landline communications specialist, based in Aberdeen.
