A road safety charity has issued a warning, stating that over 600,000 drivers could potentially be disqualified by simply taking a selfie or “touching their phone”. This comes after stricter punishments were implemented in 2017, and the last remaining loophole was closed last year. Offenders now face a £200 fine and six penalty points on their license.
If a driver accumulates 12 or more points within three years, they usually receive a six-month ban from driving. According to IAM RoadSmart, as of August 5, there were 547,287 drivers with six points on their license and an additional 94,088 drivers with nine points. These figures represent a 6% and 8% increase from the previous year. The statistics are based on a freedom of information request made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
The total ban on using handheld mobile devices while driving means that drivers can no longer escape punishment by claiming they were taking a photo or playing a game. This loophole was closed in March of the previous year. According to official statistics, in 2022, 22 people were killed and 148 were seriously injured in accidents involving drivers using mobile phones.
Expressing concern over the situation, Nicholas Lyes from the IAM RoadSmart safety group stated, “It is astonishing to think that there are more than half a million drivers who are just one touch away from receiving a driving ban. Anyone with six points on their license who is tempted to text or take a selfie is not only risking a ban but also endangering themselves and other road users. A notification or phone call can cause a significant distraction, so it is best to keep it out of sight, reach, and on silent mode.”
Lyes further pointed out that drivers, especially those with six or nine points, should reassess their driving skills and consider the impact a driving ban could have on their livelihoods. He urged the government to take action by implementing stricter enforcement measures and publishing an updated road safety strategy. Furthermore, cyclist Michael van Erp, who operates the CyclingMikey YouTube channel, revealed that he has reported 1,555 drivers for motoring offenses since 2019, resulting in a total of 2,161 penalty points being given.
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