2 years in the slammer for Brits caught using mobiles while driving

People who use hand-held mobile phones while driving better be careful because they may be jailed for two years.

London, Dec 20 : People who use hand-held mobile phones while driving better be careful because they may be jailed for two years.

British prosecutors have issued tough new guidelines stating that motorists who are caught using phones while driving can land up behind bars for two years.

In addition to this, drivers who adjust sat-navs, tinker with MP3 music players such as iPods or send text messages at the wheel could also face prison sentences.

Also, the cops will now check mobile phone records after road collisions to see if the driver was making a call and prosecutions will be called in if by using the gizmo the motorist in question is judged to have posed a danger to other drivers, such as causing another car to veer.

It is believed that by aggravating the penalties, drivers will start taking the law seriously.

"This sends a clear message to motorists: don't mix driving and communicating, just as you would not drink and drive," Telegraph quoted Rob Gifford, of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, as saying.

"This is long overdue. At last the law has caught up with the reality of the road, with too many people using their phone while driving," he added.

However, Paul Biggs, a spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, said: "This does seem over the top. I would never condone using a hand-held mobile and would never do it myself. But existing laws cover it and there are plenty of other things which are distracting."

ANI