Dozens of motorists have been caught red-handed using their mobiles while driving just months before the law around using a phone at the wheel is tightened.
Several drivers were clearly seen taking phone calls, reading messages, shuffling songs and even playing with iPads on a busy A-road in Dorset.
While the current law makes it illegal to text or make phone calls while driving, it doesn’t stop motorists from touching a hand-held device.
It comes days after former Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard had his case of using a phone while driving dropped because it could not be proved it was turned on at the time.
The 43-year-old had been seen in his £250,000 Mercedes G wagon holding a coffee and his mobile but escaped prosecution because the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was ‘insufficient evidence’.
Dozens of motorists have been caught red-handed using their mobiles while driving just months before the law around using a phone at the wheel is tightened
The alarming photographs taken of motorists seemingly oblivious to the impending change in the law were taken on the A338 in Bournemouth, Dorset
New legislation due to be brought in later this year will make it illegal to touch a handheld device for any reason such as checking notifications, taking photos or playing music while driving
Lampard has denied the offence and hired Nick Freeman – a lawyer known as ‘Mr Loophole’ – to defend him.
But new legislation due to be brought in later this year will make it illegal to touch a handheld device for any reason such as checking notifications, taking photos or playing music while driving.
The law will even apply to people who check their phones while stuck in traffic or at a red light.
Drivers who break the them will be handed a £200 fixed penalty notice plus six points on their licence.
The alarming photographs taken of motorists seemingly oblivious to the impending change in the law were taken on the A338 in Bournemouth, Dorset.
It comes days after former Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard had his case of using a phone while driving dropped because it could not be proved it was turned on at the time
The 43-year-old had been seen in his £250,000 Mercedes G wagon holding a coffee and his mobile but escaped prosecution because the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was ‘insufficient evidence’
In one, a Sky TV employee was caught looking at a tablet perched on his lap while behind the wheel of a company van.
A white van man was seen playing an album on Spotify while a woman driver was snapped reading her messages as she drove along the 50mph road.
Another motorist was caught holding his phone up to his ear, seemingly engaged in a conversation.
Their actions have been blasted as ‘reckless’ by road safety specialists who said they risked ‘ruining lives.’
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at AA, said: ‘The change to the law coming into force later this year is a great step towards road safety.
‘We have to do all that we can to eliminate distractions and make sure that everybody keeps their hands on the wheel and their eyes straight.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at AA, said: ‘The change to the law coming into force later this year is a great step towards road safety’
‘We have to do all that we can to eliminate distractions and make sure that everybody keeps their hands on the wheel and their eyes straight,’ he added
‘You cannot accidentally pick up your phone – that is a conscious choice which puts yourself and other road users at risk.
‘Just picking it up at a traffic light falls foul of the rules. You have to be parked safely with your engine turned off.
‘If you’re too tempted by the buzzing and the pings, turn your glove box into a phone box or, even better, turn it off.
‘The most important thing is to get to your destination safely – your notifications can wait until then.
‘We have a responsibility not just to ourselves but to every other person who uses the road. You are twice as likely to crash while texting than you are if you are drink driving.
A white van man was seen playing an album on Spotify while a woman driver was snapped reading her messages as she drove along the 50mph road
‘These new rule changes are essential because the existing ones were made when mobile phones were far simpler.
‘Smartphones can do so many things and as a result have so much more distractions.’
Simon Williams, road safety spokesman at RAC, added that a quarter of drivers are still making or receiving calls while driving.
He said: ‘Using a handheld mobile phone at the wheel is illegal and dangerous and, like drink-driving, ruins lives.
‘Worryingly the RAC’s research shows that a quarter of drivers are still making or receiving calls with a handheld phone while driving, and incredibly a small but sizeable proportion even admit to filming videos or playing games at the wheel.
Another motorist was caught holding his phone up to his ear, seemingly engaged in a conversation
‘This, however, currently isn’t prosecutable under the existing mobile phone offence because the device has to be used for interactive communication.
‘This has led to lots of drivers getting just three points on their licence and a £100 fine rather than the higher, mobile phone-specific penalty of six points and a £200 fine.
‘Fortunately, the government is changing the law so that any use of a handheld device will automatically lead to six points and a £200 fine.
‘Even when this comes into force, without a step-change in enforcement more will need to be done to make using a handheld mobile phone at the wheel as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.’
Inspector Craig Tatton, of Dorset Police’s traffic unit, added: ‘I would urge anyone who thinks it is OK to use a mobile phone while driving to seriously consider their actions.
‘Using a mobile phone at the wheel is a distraction and can lead to tragic consequences.
‘We are urging drivers to take responsibility for their actions and leave their phone alone.’
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