Drivers warned over traffic light rule could land you with £1,000 fine

Daily Record

5 days ago

Motorists are being reminded of the rules when it comes to being on their mobile phones at traffic lights or while stuck in congestion
Drivers have been warned against a prevalent bad habit that could land them a hefty £1,000 fine. The habit in question is checking your phone while waiting at traffic lights or stuck in traffic congestion, which is punishable by law.
According to Gov.uk, using your mobile phone or sat nav while not being "safely parked" can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and a driving ban. The law states that it is an offence to hold and operate a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that transmits or receives data while driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle.
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As such, it is prohibited to use a handheld device for any purpose, regardless of whether it is connected to the internet or not, including texting, making calls, taking photos or videos, or browsing the internet.
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A widespread misconception is that this law does not apply when stopped at traffic lights, but this is not the case, reports the Express.
The law applies even if you are:
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Stuck in a traffic jam
Supervising a learner driver
Operating a vehicle that automatically switches off the engine when stationary
Holding and using a device that's offline or in flight mode
If found guilty of any of the above, you could face six penalty points on your licence and a fine of £200. The repercussions are more severe for novice drivers. If you have passed your driving test within the last two years, you risk losing your licence.
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In some instances, you may also be summoned to court, where you can:
Face a driving or riding ban
Receive a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if you're operating a lorry or bus)
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to these rules. You are permitted to use a handheld device if:
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You need to dial 999 or 112 in an emergency and it's unsafe or impractical to stop
You're safely parked
You're making a contactless payment in a stationary vehicle, such as at a drive-through restaurant
You're using the device to remotely park your vehicle.
The Government website states: "You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times.
"The police can stop you if they think you're not in control because you're distracted and you can be prosecuted."
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In addition to mobile phones and sat navs, smart watches are another item that motorists are prohibited from using whilst driving.
They're great for having access to instant communication, tracking fitness and even for navigation to help you find where you need to be. But because they can send and receive data like a phone, they should never be used in the car while driving.
There are no laws around using a smartwatch while driving, but similar to other devices, drivers must not look at any electronic devices that can send or receive data while motoring.