DRIVERS caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving could soon face increased penalties if new proposals, put out to public consultation today, get the go-ahead.
While it is already an offence in Northern Ireland to use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving, it is an increasing problem.
Currently, a driver caught holding a mobile phone while driving will receive a fixed penalty of £60 and three penalty points.
However, that could soon rise to £200 and six penalty points.
A new public consultation will consider whether the current offence and penalties continue to represent an active deterrent.
Donald Starritt, from the Department for Infrastructure’s Safe and Sustainable Travel Division, said: "This consultation, agreed by the previous Infrastructure Minister, is an opportunity to express views on proposals to strengthen deterrents against using or holding a mobile phone while driving, including increasing the fixed penalty from £60 to £200 and increasing penalty points from three to six.
"The Department continues to work with our road safety partners in the PSNI to keep all road users as safe as possible".
Chief Inspector Diane Pennington, from PSNI Roads Policing, said: "We believe it’s time to look at measures to dissuade and deter this behaviour, coupled with potential changes to make it easier to enforce the law. With this in mind we encourage everyone to consider what ideas or views they can contribute to the consultation".
Details of the consultation, which runs until May 15, can be found at www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
