However, anyone caught using a phone in the car while supervising an apprentice driver will also be fined under the new rules. This means that if the law deems that you are technically supervising another driver, you can be hit 200 £ and six points on your license even as a passenger. The new rules apply to anyone who even touches the front of the phone screen to check the time, unless it is in a case. Drivers are also excluded if they use a telephone to pay for food in a queue. READ MORE: Rishi Sunak examines new toll road network Despite the obvious danger, this gap has allowed users to continue using their phones while driving. The delay in introducing the new law is believed to have meant that up to 256,000 drivers were spared heavy fines. To help enforce the new rules, nationwide cameras will be installed nationwide with the ability to automatically detect drivers touching their mobile phones. These cameras can capture clear images of fast moving vehicles, making it much harder for motorists to avoid being caught. A test of these cameras recorded one in 200 drivers using their phones on the highway. This amounts to more than 4,600 motorists a day who were able to use their handheld devices without consequences while driving. Ryan Fulthorpe, a car insurance specialist at GoCompare, said: “The purpose of these laws is to ensure the safety of drivers and other road users. “However, where there are gaps, we encourage motorists to act in ways that do not distract them from the road. “Four to six points on your license can increase the cost of an insurance policy by an average of 56 percent, but they are much more at risk with dangerous driving – endangering the safety of you and others around you. “We welcome any support from the government to make the roads safer by banning dangerous driving practices and we also urge all drivers to follow these rules and drive sensibly.” Drivers will now be considered to be breaking the law if they use a mobile phone for “any use”, including taking photos, recording videos, scrolling through music playlists and playing games. The new laws were proposed to parliament in November 2021, following a public consultation in which 81 percent of respondents supported tougher measures.
