All drivers warned they face £200 fine under Highway Code change

Drivers across the country have been warned of a hefty fine following changes to the Highway Code. The new rules come into place at the end of the month, January 29, and changes mean drivers risk a GBP200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. One of the largest changes, which could land you this penalty, is the tightening of mobile phone laws – it is already illegal to text or call using a hand-held phone while driving, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping the terrible driving habit many of us have.

To get the latest email updates from Yorkshire Live, click here . Under the latest changes to the Highway Code, the law will also ban drivers from scrolling through playlists, playing games or taking photos and videos. Although drivers can still able to use a “hands-free” device when driving, however, they must be driving responsibly – this includes a sat-nav.

This changed follow new research which estimated 1.79 million motorists use their mobile phone while on the motorway, reports the Express. Cameras which monitor mobile phone use while driving have been installed on a trail basis on motorways already. One camera alone caught a terrifying 15,000 drivers using their mobile phones while at the wheel – and don’t think driving faster means the camera won’t get a clear image of you, the latest technology has the ability to capture clear images at up to 185mph, in any weather conditions.

The trial estimated that one in 200 drivers use their phone while driving on the motorway. By using Artificial Intelligence (AI) it means photographs will be taken of all drivers so the rule-breakers can be automatically detected. Past research from GoCompare found that harsher penalties had shown a reduction in convictions.

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Ryan Fulthorpe, car insurance expert at GoCompare, said: “It is clear that more needs to be done to enforce safety measures to keep the roads as safe as possible.

“We hope that the ability to effectively penalise those breaking the rules will act as a powerful deterrent to dangerous driving. “Hopefully, we will continue to see the number of offences fall and safer roads as a result.” Old rules meant mobile phone laws could only be enforced by police witnessing the offences while driving alongside offending drivers – this meant observations could sometimes prove difficult especially with HGV’s.

Another considerable factor is car insurance rates will go up by an average of 56 percent if you have four or more points on your license.

To get the latest email updates from Yorkshire Live, click here .