Drivers have been warned that a common sat-nav habit could result in six penalty points and a £200 fine. The warning from Nottinghamshire Police comes after several motorists were pulled over on the M1 motorway for similar phone-related offences.
Holding and using a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle is illegal. This applies whether the device is online or offline, and even when stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic, supervising a learner driver, or driving a car that turns off the engine when stopped.
Penalties and consequences
If a driver does not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead due to the placement of a sat nav, they could receive three penalty points. Those who passed their driving test in the last two years could also lose their licence.
If taken to court over the offence, drivers could face an outright driving ban and a maximum fine of up to £1,000, or £2,500 if driving a lorry or bus. Hands-free devices are allowed as long as they are not held at any time during use and do not block the driver's view of the road.
M1 operation results
Nottinghamshire Police issued the warning after an unmarked HGV crew spotted drivers on the M1 motorway during a pre-planned operation between October 12 and October 16. Of the 101 drivers pulled over, 46 were dealt with for calling, texting, navigating, or otherwise interacting with their mobile phones at the wheel. Four of those were driving HGVs, putting other road users at additional risk.
Many of the drivers dealt with were observed interacting with maps and navigation apps, with their phones either in their hands or secured in cradles.
Police warning
Sergeant Jim Carrington, of the Roads Policing Team, said: "The good news is that more and more drivers now understand that holding a mobile phone at the wheel is not acceptable. The bad news is that there are clearly others out there who think they can interact with a device held in a secure mount."
He added: "As several drivers have just found out to their cost, that is simply not the case, because if you are searching for an address or looking for an alternative route, you are not paying proper attention to the road in front of you. The same goes for searching for a particular song or skipping the adverts in your favourite podcast. Both actions may seem innocuous, but they can each have catastrophic consequences for you and other road users."
Carrington urged drivers to think about their habits behind the wheel, noting that at best the consequences could be a fine and points, and at worst a lengthy prison sentence.
