USING MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING
The law was tightened on 22 March 2022 and it is now illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle. You can’t text, make calls, take photos or go on the internet. Did you know you can’t even check the time ?
Even when stopped at lights or queuing in traffic you can’t hold and use your phone. This offence carries a standard fine of £200 and 6 penalty points.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU’RE CAUGHT USING YOUR PHONE?
If you get caught driving while using a mobile and if you were considered to be holding the phone, you will be at risk of 6 points and a fixed penalty or a summons to court.
To be convicted of the offence, the prosecution has to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you were actually driving with a mobile telephone in your hand AND that you were using it.
‘Using’ a mobile telephone means not just making or receiving calls, but also includes using it for any telecommunication purpose. A telecommunication purpose includes texting while driving, using any other Apps, including sat navs, or messenger services that allow you to communicate with other people.
If you dispute the allegation and reject the fixed penalty and subsequently proceed to Trial, there is a risk of a higher fine if you were to be convicted and the associated court costs, but the points will not increase.
We have dealt with numerous cases where clients have been accused of using their mobile phone whilst driving and they have advised that they were not doing so as alleged by the police officer. As such, if you deny the offence, then you should plead Not Guilty and as such your case will be set down for a Trial in the Magistrates’ Court.
SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR MOTOR LAW SPECIALISTS
If you need any further assistance please give us a call on 0151 480 5777 or for 24 hour emergency police station assistance 0151 480 5833 or fill in our contact form below.
Casting a doubt
In order to be found not guilty of a hand-held phone related driving offence you need to cast a doubt.
Your case may be that the officer was mistaken in what he saw or that you simply were not using the phone at the time as could be evidenced by way of production of your call records to show that no calls or texts etc, were made or received around the time of the alleged driving offence. These records can also include your call or data usage records, or evidence that you had made or received text messages or communications via other messenger apps, Facebook, WhatsApp, SnapChat, Twitter etc.
If when stopped by an officer, they do not examine your call/text history at your request then this can be used to your advantage at trial by way of the officer being cross examined on this issue as the officer is under a duty to conduct a full evidential investigation.
A conviction for this offence carries six penalty points and as such could put you at risk of disqualification should you have six penalty points existing on your licence. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your case with us if you are faced with this alleged offence.
The vast majority of motoring offences do not qualify for Legal Aid. Accordingly, we operate and work on a Fixed Fee Basis and pride ourselves on offering a high quality service which is affordable to all clients. You can find details of our fixed fees here.