Eight Drivers Fall Foul of Law on Opening Day of Change in Mobile Phone Law

Eight drivers in the Northern Constabulary area were detected using their mobile phones while driving on the first day of the increase in penalties for this offence.

Seven drivers were issued with Conditional Offers of £60 fine and 3 penalty points and one male driver is to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal as he already has 9 points on his licence.

As of yesterday (27 February 2024) anyone caught using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving faces a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence.

The fine has risen by £30 for the offence since it was first introduced in December 2024 and this is also the first time that drivers will face penalty points, which could eventually lead to them losing their licence if enough are accrued.

Despite a nation-wide media appeal to drivers today’s figures show the message is still not getting through to some motorists.

Head of the Force’s Road Policing Section, Inspector John Smith said: “Despite the widespread coverage the new law has received in the written and broadcast media it is disappointing to see there are some drivers still willing to flout the law.

“If you are using a mobile phone whilst driving your full attention is clearly not on the road and your surroundings and this poses a risk to yourself and other road users or pedestrians.

“Northern Constabulary will continue to seek out those who continue to use hand held mobile phones whilst driving.”

AREA COMMANDS WHERE OFFENCES DETECTED

Detections - Ross, Cromarty and Skye Area Command – 1
Detections - Badenoch, Strathspey & Nairn – 1
Detections – Inverness – 6