Points for driving on the phone could double

TRANSPORT secretary Patrick McLoughlin has suggested that people caught using hand-held mobile phones while driving should get six points on their licence rather than the three that are currently handed out to offenders.

The proposal, which is in line with a previous suggestion by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, would mean that drivers could be banned under the ‘totting-up’ rules if they’re caught on the phone just twice in three years. And newly-qualified drivers could be banned if caught just once, as during the first two years after getting a licence the threshold for a ban is set at six points.

Consideration is also being given to increasing the fine from £100 to £150.