This is a post from FORS regarding mobile phone a consultation to increase the penalty levels for mobile phone use when driving.
Mobile phone use whilst driving is a dangerous activity which increases the risk of a collision. The FORS standard requirement ‘D4 – in-vehicle technology’ specifies that fleet operators shall not cause or permit a driver to use a mobile phone or other distractive in-vehicle technology while driving. Any use of mobile phones and other in-vehicle technology (including hands-free equipment) must be properly managed, and where hands-free equipment is allowed, the terms of its use needs to be covered by a strict policy, ideally supported by a written procedure, risk assessment or method statement. For further information, please revisit the FORS standard.
In support of the Manifesto commitment, the Government published its road safety statement “Working Together to Build a Safer Road System” in December 2015. That statement sets out the context of road safety in Britain today and the overarching scope of road safety activity for the government.
This consultation seeks views on proposals announced in the Statement, namely increasing the penalty levels and Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for the offence of using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving.
This consultation considers proposals for increasing the FPN level from £100 to £150 for all drivers as well as increasing the penalty points from 3 to 4 for non-HGV drivers and from 3 to 6 points for those that hold a Large Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence who commit the offence whilst driving a HGV.
These proposals ultimately aim to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the roads.
The deadline for responses was 15 March 2016.