Police warning ahead of mobile phone penalty rise
Police are warning motorists not to risk it ahead of the penalty for using a mobile phone or hand-held device whilst driving double from the start of next month.
The penalty will increase from £100 fine and three penalty points to £200 and six penalty points.
For new and young drivers who have held their licence for less than two years and are caught for such an offence, this could result in them losing their licence.
Police Scotland will be carrying out a two-week campaign starting today.
Inspector Angus Stewart, Divisional Road Policing Unit, said: "Driving requires your full attention. It is absolutely essential that people concentrate on their driving rather than talking on their mobile phone or using other hand held devices.
"At the end of the day, is the call that important that it is worth risking your life for? It’s better to switch the phone off and pick up any missed calls or texts when it is safe and convenient to do so.
"Adjusting sat-navs, stereos or any in-car technology, distracts you from your driving and the reality is, that split second distraction could have fatal consequences.
"I cannot emphasise enough the grave risk people are putting themselves, and other road users, in by not concentrating when driving a car.
"People seem to think it will not happen to them, but it can and it will.
"You could either be the victim or the one who causes a crash or a death. My advice is don’t risk it."
