Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner backs call for drivers using mobiles to face bigger fines

Sir Graham Bright, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire has added his support for drivers using mobile phones to face bigger fines.

The proposals are part of the government’s Road Safety Plan and target those who repeatedly offend.

Sir Graham says:

“I want people to understand that if they use a mobile phone at the wheel they can cause devastating accidents which cost lives. I am hopeful that these plans to increase fees and penalty points will serve as a stark reminder that persistent offenders could end up facing serious consequences.”

If government plans are approved, motorists who use a mobile phone while driving could face tougher penalties, with fixed penalty fines increasing from £100 to £150 as well as an increase in the number of penalty points drivers receive from three to four. And for drivers of larger vehicles such as HGVs, points would rise from three to six points.

Over 2415 tickets were issued to people using mobile phones while driving in Cambridgeshire in 2014.

Sir Graham added: “Drivers need to be aware of the risks posed by being distracted at the wheel but also the serious penalties they will face if caught.”

A consultation will be held on the new plans in 2016.