The loss of insurance cover could become the latest punishment for motorists caught using their mobile phones whilst behind the wheel as insurers take hard action to tackle this escalating problem.
As a new report published by AA insurance has revealed, an offence for using a hand-held mobile phone is regarded as being much more serious than speeding – despite only one or two police forces offering mobile phone awareness courses.
"Insurers rightly treat drivers caught using a hand-held mobile phone very seriously. The point is, it is a deliberate act. Many drivers may accidentally drift over a 30mph limit without immediately realising it. But no-one accidentally makes or answers a call or text. It's completely unacceptable," warned Simon Douglas, Director of AA Insurance.
‘A disaster in the making’
"My view is that the present CU80 offence, which attracts a £60 fine and three points (the same as for speeding) is too lenient. It doesn't reflect the danger of such an offence. If a driver is texting, they aren't concentrating. Trying to steer and change gears with one hand and eyes on the device, not on the road, is a disaster in the making. No call or text is more important than that."
Douglas added that those Brits making a call to someone who is clearly answering the phone when driving should ring off immediately as this ‘could save someone's life’.
Because of this, using mobile phones whilst driving is the offence that might end up leading to the worst consequences for drivers, including a big premium rise or even a loss of car insurance cover.
Good value courses
In addition, the report pointed out the value of taking a speed awareness course when committing a first SP30 (speeding) offence.
While the average price of those courses is £90, drivers not going for that option could end up paying more than £200 for one speeding offence if both the cost of the fine and the three years premium increase are taken into account.
