Millions of motorists don't know they are breaking the law every day

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Research has found millions of motorists don't know that they are breaking the law every day.

Following recent rule changes regarding mobile phones, drivers are being caught out. The majority of us are aware that we are not allowed to use our phones to make calls or send messages while they are driving. However fewer of us know that we also cannot touch our mobiles in any way while when behind the wheel.



This includes while stopped in traffic and waiting at traffic lights. The newly introduced law bans all things relating to touching phones while driving, reports Birmingham Live . This includes using them as sat navs, changing music and checking messages and social media .

However, phones can be used as sat navs, if in a fixed position and set up before the start of a journey. Could you pass a driving theory test? Take our quiz and find out . The law was tightened in 2022 in a bid to improve road safety.

But research suggests a large section of the population remain uncertain about rules around phones. A survey by insurers Tempcover found only around half (53%) knew using an unfixed sat nav was an offence. They said: "With more than half of drivers unaware that using an unfixed phone as a sat nav is an offence, many risk a £200 fine and six penalty points.

Christmas is a time for long journeys sometimes to unfamiliar destinations, so double-check your sat nav is mounted correctly to avoid fines and points on your licence. A spokesperson for Car Audio Centre said: "Most drivers are aware of the rules around holding mobile phones while driving to make calls, send texts, or browse the web. But there seems to be some confusion still when it comes to using driving apps.

“Around 39% of Brits admit to using navigation technology on their smartphones rather than built-in car sat navs. Much of the confusion seems to lie in the understanding of the rules around holding or touching a mobile phone so it is important to be clear that touching a smartphone while driving carries the same penalties as holding it." Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

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