Use of a mobile phone while driving: review of existing offence and associated penalties - Screening form
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The purpose of the proposal is to achieve a stronger deterrent to offending and make offenders clear of the risk to road safety. The proposal is made up of two main elements:An increase to the fixed penalty notice (FPN) fine and penalty point levels which apply to this offence; andA legislative change aimed at improving the enforceability of the current offence.
The intended aims and outcomes are as follows:
- To reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions where the principal or contributory collision factor is driver distraction through the use of a mobile phone or other hand-held device;
- To bring about a change in road user behaviour that will make the use of a mobile phone while driving socially unacceptable; and
To address public concern about the perceived increase in the use of mobile phones while driving.