‘EVERY EXCUSE POSSIBLE’: Black cab driver caught holding mobile phone faces 6 points and fine
Updated: May 8, 2022
Police officers issued a black cab driver a ticket after they were seen using their mobile phone whilst driving in the Peterborough area.
Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Road Policing Unit caught the cabbie yesterday holding their mobile device and they can now expect 6 points on their licence and a £200 fine.
Officers say the ‘professional driver’ tried to make ‘every excuse possible’ claiming the phone was on speaker phone.
The Government recently closed a loophole previously exploited by dangerous drivers to escape conviction. From 25 March 2022 motorists are now deemed to be breaking the law if they use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for any use, including to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games.
Anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving could face a fine of up to £1,000 as well as 6 points on their licence or a full driving ban.
BCH Road Policing Unit said via social media: “After being seen on his phone and making possibly every excuse possible, this “professional driver” was issued with a ticket and can expect 6 points and a £200 fine.
“Having your phone on speaker is still illegal.”
What constitutes ’USING’ a mobile phone?
According to the text of the Statutory Instruments, the meaning of ‘using’ a phone will to cover the following:
illuminating the screen
checking the time
checking notifications
unlocking the device
making, receiving, or rejecting a telephone or internet based call
sending, receiving or uploading oral or written content
sending, receiving or uploading a photo or video
utilising camera, video, or sound recording
drafting any text
accessing any stored data such as documents, books, audio files, photos, videos, films, playlists, notes or messages
accessing an app
accessing the internet.
Why is there a contactless payment exemption?
There is an exemption to the new law for drivers making a contactless payment using their mobile phone while stationary to ensure the law keeps pace with technology.
This exemption will cover, for example, places like a drive-through restaurant or a road toll, and will only apply when payment is being made with a card reader. It will not allow motorists to make general online payments while driving.
This rule also extends to taking payments using handheld devices which many taxi drivers do.
