Fuel Card News Motoring Updates: Harsher punishments for drivers caught on mobiles, says Met chief

Commissioner of the Metropolitan police, Bernard Hogan-Howe, believes drivers caught using a mobile phone should receive six points on their license.

 Currently motorists face just three points and a £60 fine if caught.

Hogan-Howe was asked during a live web chat why so many people still seemed to be getting away with using their phones behind the wheel, to which he replied: “Many people do not get away with it and get a fine and three points on their license.

“I would like to see them receive six points in the future. That would mean a second offence would lead to them being banned and I believe this would change driving behaviour and improve safety.”

Road safety charity, Brake, says 25 percent of drivers admit to talking on their phone at the wheel at least once a week, despite it lengthening reaction times to a similar extent as alcohol.

Julie Townsend, Brake Deputy Chief Executive, said: "Many drivers who wouldn't dream of drink-driving are using phones while driving, oblivious that the effect on your reaction times can be similar.”

Brake's Senior Campaigns Officer, Ellen Booth, even suggested: “Those caught using a mobile phone while driving should receive an immediate 12-month disqualification, like those caught drinking driving.”

Road safety minsters will be increasing the fine for the offence from £60 to between £80 and £100 later this year, however, as it stands there are no plans to increase the number of penalty points.

In other news, the Transport Select Committee has said it will target uninsured drivers in an attempt to cut down insurance costs.

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