New penalties announced by the Department for Transport to punish drivers for using a mobile phone behind the wheel came into force on 1 March, 2017.

Offenders now risk a £200 fine and six driving licence penalty points for texting, making phone calls without a hands free kit or using social media whilst driving.

Motorists who are caught for the first time will no longer be offered the opportunity to attend a driver awareness course instead of receiving points on their licence and newly qualified drivers risk having their licence revoked.

The new rules apply in England, Scotland and Wales, with drivers caught breaking the new law for a second time potentially facing a £1,000 fine and a six-month driving ban.

Editor’s note: What about all the other daft things people do while driving? See David Jordan’s story here.

Photo: Offending drivers face a £200 fine and six penalty points.