A loophole allowing drivers to escape punishment for hand-held phone use if they are taking a photo or playing a game closed on Friday 25 March.

The new rules ban virtually all hand-held use of mobile phones on Britain’s roads, in what Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said was a “zero-tolerance approach”.

Making calls, texting, taking photos or videos, scrolling through playlists and playing games will all be prohibited. Anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving could face a fine of up to £1,000 as well as six points on their licence.

The new rules provide permission to use your phone as a sat-nav if it is secured in a cradle.

Drivers will also be allowed to use their phones to make contactless payments, such as at drive-thru restaurants, as long as their vehicle is stationary.

The government have explained that you can take calls, as long as you remain hands free at all times.

The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.

Mr Shapps said: “I will do everything in my power to keep road users safe, which is why I am taking a zero-tolerance approach to those who decide to risk lives by using their phone behind the wheel.

“I’m ensuring anyone who chooses to break this vital law can face punishment for doing so, and we’ll continue our efforts to ensure our roads remain among the safest in the world.”

You can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you are found holding and using a phone, sat nav, or any device that can exchange data while driving or riding a motorcycle.

AA president Edmund King said: “This is a much-needed toughening of the rules to help make our roads safer.

“The best thing to do is to convert your glovebox into a phone box. We all need to keep our hands on the wheel and our eyes on the road.”

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis: “The dial really needs to be turned up when it comes to enforcement, and that means police forces having the resources and technology they need to more easily catch those drivers that continue to flout the law.

“Cameras that can automatically detect handheld phone use exist and are in use in other countries, so we think it’s high time the UK Government evaluated this technology with a view to allowing police forces to deploy it at the earliest opportunity.”

Written in collaboration with PA

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