Government to Consult on Mobile Phone Driving Ban

A consultation on banning drivers from using hand-held mobile phones was announced today by Road Safety Minister David Jamieson. This has been one of the hot topics on the Workplacelaw Network in recent months.

The consultation, which begins today, seeks views on the possible introduction of a ban on hand-held phones and asks for opinions on issues such as what, if any, exemptions might be needed.

The proposed ban would involve spot fines of £30, and would include text messaging and using a mobile when the car is stationary in traffic.

Bert Morris of the AA is quoted in the Independent this morning, saying: "We cannot have a law banning the use of mobiles without one to ban eating, smoking, drinking, applying make-up or shaving."

The Workplacelaw Network will be submitting its comments to the DfT. If you would like your views to be taken into account, please comment below, or alternatively comment directly to the DfT using the link to their web site, provided. Consultation ends 25 November 2002.
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