UK cellphone crackdown
p2pnet.net News:- Britain is taking an even dimmer view than before of people who talk on their mobile phones and drive at the same time.
Drivers caught using hand-held phones are already liable for a £30 (today, about $59) fine, but as of February 27, it’ll be doubled and offenders will have having three penalty points added to their licences, says InTheNews.co.uk.
According to the Home Office, almost 74,000 fixed-penalty notices were issued for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving during 2004, says the story.
But, “Increasing the penalty for being caught won’t help unless they can catch some people,” observes The Register.
The Liberal Democrats worked out last year that only 1.1% of people using a mobile whilst driving got caught, says the story, adding:
“Given the dearth of traffic police these days that’s unlikely to improve until they can train Gatso cameras to spot mobile phone users, as well as those exceeding the speed limit.”
Also See:
InTheNews.co.uk – Penalty points for mobile-using drivers, January 24, 2007
The Register – UK gets tough on phone toting drivers, January 23, 2007
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