Put your phone away while driving

That's the message from Hampshire County Council’s latest safety campaign

The Road Safety Team is reminding drivers not to use their mobile phone behind the wheel.

Make sure you understand the consequences of using your mobile phone when driving - even if it’s for a split second!

You are four times more likely to be in a crash if you use your phone.
Your reaction times are two times slower if you text and drive than if you drink drive, and this increases to three times if you use a handheld phone.
Even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or text – and a split-second lapse in concentration could result in a crash.

If you’re caught using a handheld phone while driving, you’ll get six penalty points on your licence and a fine of £200.
Points on your licence will result in higher insurance costs.
If you get just six points in the first two years after passing your test, you will lose your licence.

It's illegal to use a handheld mobile when driving. This includes using your phone to follow a map, read a text or check social media. This applies even if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.
It is also illegal to use a handheld phone or similar device when supervising a learner driver.
You can only use a handheld phone if you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 (the same as dialling 999 but 112 will work on a mobile phone anywhere in the world) in an emergency, and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.
Using hands free (e.g. for navigation) is not illegal. However, if this distracts you and affects your ability to drive safely, you can still be prosecuted by the police.

Find out more

To find out more about the THINK! Put your phone away while driving campaign, visit the Department for Transport’s web pages.

The RAC's Be Phone Smart campaign also encourages drivers to make an online pledge to not use their handheld phone while driving.