It's for you: £200 fine and 6pts from today

MOBILE phones are being used by 55 per cent of drivers in Oldham

HARSHER penalties for drivers who endanger the lives of others by using their mobile phone at the wheel are now in place.

Tougher punishments introduced today will see motorists face six points and a £200 fine if they are caught using their mobile phone while driving.

The new penalties are twice as much as before. Previous legislation saw motorists caught using their phone handed three penalty points and a £100 fine.

This new legislation also means newly qualified drivers may have their licence revoked on the first offence under the New Driver Act.

Revoked

It sees motorists who build up six points in their first two years of driving automatically lose their licence.

Drivers caught breaking the new law for a second time potentially face a £1,000 fine and a six-month driving ban.

GMP Insp Tony Allt, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: "Unfortunately, there are still a number of drivers who selfishly continue to endanger the lives of fellow road users, as well as their own, by using a mobile phone while driving.

"To coincide with the national campaign and the introduction of the tougher penalties, we will have a number of marked and unmarked patrol vehicles and roadside checks to identify and stop motorists who break the law. Using a mobile phone or any device that distracts your attention while driving is simply wrong for the road."

To raise awareness among recently qualified drivers, GMP - along with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service- will hold an educational event for students at Bury College this Friday where they will have the chance to try a simulator that safely demonstrates the dangers of using a phone while driving.

Graham Jones, chair of the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership, added: "There's no excuse for using a mobile phone at the wheel. Missing a call won't kill anyone ­- a collision might.

"The safest option is to switch your phone off before driving. If you do leave it switched on, keep it out of reach and, if it rings, find a safe and legal place to stop and call back."

As well as increasing traffic operations, GMP will also be spreading the word on the new legislation and the dangers associated with using a mobile while driving as part of the #WrongForTheRoad social media campaign.

Anyone with information of persistent offenders who drive while using their mobile phone should call 101 with details.