Instant 3 month ban for driving while using a mobile phone? Fact Check
A message is circulating social media that claims new legislation has passed through UK Parliament that will result in UK drivers losing their driving license “on the spot” for 3 months if caught using a mobile phone in their car with the engine on.
An example of this message can be see via the example below –
NEW LEGISLATION* has passed today in Parliament that any body caught using a “mobile phone” whilst driving or whilst the engine is running will lose their Driver’s Licenses on the spot for *3 months.* No excuse will be tolerated or accepted by a Police Officer. As soon as you get into your vehicle turn on the Bluetooth of the car or phone. If you don’t have Bluetooth technology you have to safely pull over switch off your car engine then you may answer your mobile phone. Keep in mind that even though you have pulled over & your engine is running you will still cop the full wrath of by the law. So turn off your car engine if you don’t have Bluetooth, prior to answering your mobile phone.
The message also comes attached to a Gov.uk link about using your mobile phone while driving.
The message is nonsense. While it is indeed illegal to drive while using your mobile phone (unless you are using your phone with a hands-free kit) the claim that this results in an on-the-spot 3 month driving ban is false.
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Oddly enough, in most examples of this hoax message that we’ve seen, it comes attached to a GOV.uk link that actually exposes the message as a hoax, providing social media users actually click the link to read what is says, of course, which many clearly haven’t.
That Gov.uk link describes the genuine penalties for driving while using your mobile phone –
You can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone when driving. You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last 2 years.
You can get 3 penalty points if you don’t have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle.
The link clearly states that 6 penalty points are handed out if caught using a mobile phone. Since drivers who have had their license for less than two years can only have 6 points on their license, this would mean losing their driving license. As you can see, there is nothing about having your driving license revoked for 3 months.
As such, the rumour is false. Remember, if you do see a rumour spreading on social media, and that rumour comes attached to a source, read the source first to make sure it is backing up the message. In this case, it definitely didn’t!
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