According to a recent survey conducted by this site, 65% of people are sceptical that the latest measures introduced to combat motorists’ mobile phone use will be effective - and believe more needs to be done to deal with the issue.
Meanwhile, 26% of respondents were adamant that the new laws would be completely ineffective.
A mere 10% of those asked felt that the laws would sufficiently deter motorists from using their phones while driving.
Introduced on 1st March, the new legislation sees the punishment for phone use while driving double; if caught motorists now face a £200 fine and six points on their license.
Consequently, drivers who have held their license for under two years could see it revoked if they are caught using a mobile phone.
New drivers who are convicted of the offence will then have to re-take both their theory and practical driving tests.
Despite what the results of our survey suggest, those behind the crackdown on texting motorists are convinced these laws will help save lives.
According to Nick Lloyd, road safety manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the threat of losing their license will make new drivers think twice about using their phones, “Taking your theory and practical driving tests can be an expensive and stressful time, so imagine having to go through it all again for one moment of stupidity.
“We understand how difficult it can be to ignore your mobile phone, but there’s not a single reason that will excuse putting people’s lives at risk, and hopefully these new stricter penalties will mean drivers think twice.”
However, many remain unconvinced. One motorist who gave his thoughts as part of our survey felt more needed to be done, “Personally I think the fine should be greater. Hands free in a car is not difficult to install, however if you really need to make a call as you are addicted to your phone then pull over safely in a layby then get your fix.”
Another motorist added, “It's a step in the right direction but I think they missed an important punishment. I would have included confiscation of the phone and as they are relatively cheap to replace if caught a second time I would confiscate the phone and the car plus the new fines and points.
“If anyone thinks I am being harsh it's probably because I served as a firefighter for 30 years and saw first-hand the devastation caused by stupid drivers and not just phone users.”
The new laws come in the wake of several high-profile accidents involving mobile phones.
In one such collision, Polish lorry driver Tomasz Kroker killed a mother and her three children after looking down to change the music on his phone.
A mere 10% of those asked felt that the laws would sufficiently deter motorists from using their phones while driving.
Introduced on 1st March, the new legislation sees the punishment for phone use while driving double; if caught motorists now face a £200 fine and six points on their license.
Consequently, drivers who have held their license for under two years could see it revoked if they are caught using a mobile phone.
New drivers who are convicted of the offence will then have to re-take both their theory and practical driving tests.
Despite what the results of our survey suggest, those behind the crackdown on texting motorists are convinced these laws will help save lives.
According to Nick Lloyd, road safety manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the threat of losing their license will make new drivers think twice about using their phones, “Taking your theory and practical driving tests can be an expensive and stressful time, so imagine having to go through it all again for one moment of stupidity.
“We understand how difficult it can be to ignore your mobile phone, but there’s not a single reason that will excuse putting people’s lives at risk, and hopefully these new stricter penalties will mean drivers think twice.”
However, many remain unconvinced. One motorist who gave his thoughts as part of our survey felt more needed to be done, “Personally I think the fine should be greater. Hands free in a car is not difficult to install, however if you really need to make a call as you are addicted to your phone then pull over safely in a layby then get your fix.”
Another motorist added, “It's a step in the right direction but I think they missed an important punishment. I would have included confiscation of the phone and as they are relatively cheap to replace if caught a second time I would confiscate the phone and the car plus the new fines and points.
“If anyone thinks I am being harsh it's probably because I served as a firefighter for 30 years and saw first-hand the devastation caused by stupid drivers and not just phone users.”
The new laws come in the wake of several high-profile accidents involving mobile phones.
In one such collision, Polish lorry driver Tomasz Kroker killed a mother and her three children after looking down to change the music on his phone.
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