Criminal law
Driving while using a mobile phone
The law takes using a mobile phone behind the wheel very seriously. If you’ve been charged by the police and you believe you’re innocent, talk to one of our experienced motoring offence lawyers right away. Use our online tool to get immediate legal advice.
Charged with using your phone while driving?
Slater and Gordon’s driving offence solicitors have the experience you need if you’ve been charged with using a mobile phone while driving. Call us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online and we’ll call you.
Immediate expert advice at your fingertips. Use our online tool to get legal advice on your circumstances straightaway.
Let's get startedCharged with using a phone while driving?
The law – and in fact most of society – takes a very dim view of using mobile phones and other electronic devices while you’re behind the wheel. That’s why this offence now carries an automatic six penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000. This applies whether you’re talking, texting, programming a satnav or interacting with a device in any way.
It’s also important to understand that you’re breaking the law by using your device whenever you are behind the wheel and your engine is running. While you may think you’re safe to call or text while sitting in stationary traffic or at traffic lights, that’s not the case.
You should also be aware that even if you pull over to the side of the road before answering a call, you can still be charged with using a phone while driving if your engine is running.
If you’ve been accused of using a device while driving and believe that you’ve been unfairly accused, our expert driving offence solicitors may be able to help.
Call us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us and we’ll call you.
Can I use satnav or hands-free when driving?
While many people use a hands-free kit to take calls, you can still be charged with an offence if you touch your phone to answer or end a call.
Similarly, the only thing you can do with satnav while driving is glance at and listen to it. If you touch the device at any time while behind the wheel, you’ve committed an offence and may be charged with a driving offence.
Can you defend me against charges of using a phone while driving?
The police can’t be expected to be right all the time any more than the rest of us. There are occasions where people are falsely accused because the police believe, erroneously, that the law has been broken.
If you believe this has happened to you, call to speak to one of our experienced road traffic offence solicitors right away on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online and we’ll call you.
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