What’s the risk?
Research from the road safety charity BRAKE! shows using any phone behind the wheel makes you four times as likely to be in a crash.
Using any phone whilst driving is dangerous as driving is a highly complex task that requires a person’s full attention. Any distraction that takes a driver’s mental attention away from the road, coupled with the risks of taking your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel is a real risk to the safety of you and others.
Our advice
- Never use a mobile phone or other device while driving, whether it is a hand-held mobile or a hands-free
- Put your phone on ‘Do not disturb’ while driving. Many smartphones have a ‘driving’ setting to mute unnecessary notifications.
- Put your phone out of reach when driving so you won’t be tempted to reach for it.
The law
It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle.
The law still applies to you if you’re:
- Stopped at traffic lights
- Queuing in traffic
- Supervising a learner driver
- Driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving
- Holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode
Exceptions
- You need to call 999 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.
- You’re safely parked.
- You’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-through restaurant.
- You’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely.