USE OF MOBILE PHONES WHILE DRIVING

That this House is concerned about the ongoing problem of the use of mobile telephones while driving, which is dangerous and against the law; notes that in 2014, 1.6 per cent of all drivers in England and Scotland were observed using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving; further notes that research shows that using a phone while driving makes the driver's reactions 50 per cent slower and makes them four times more likely to crash; supports the Government's decision to increase the fine for using a telephone while driving from three penalty points and a fine of £100 to six penalty points and a fine of £200; is further concerned that this is still too low to fully reflect the risk to other road users; and believes that a disqualification for all drivers who use a mobile telephone while driving, along with a fine of £1,000, would be more appropriate as a disincentive to this dangerous behaviour.