Three points and £60 - penalty upped for driving with mobile

The ban on driving while using a mobile phone has been stepped up a gear, with the government now planning to see offenders slapped with penalty points and an increased fine.

Those caught breaking the law are currently fined a minimum of £30. If the proposed amendments are passed, the fine will double to £60 and three penalty points will be added to offenders' licences - the same as being caught speeding.

The fine was introduced in December last year due to concerns that careless drivers were causing accidents by using their phones at the wheel. Now, it seems, MPs don't believe the £30 fine is enough to deter drivers from using their mobiles on the move.

Thames Valley police were asked to take a more proactive stance on the whole issue last month. Off-duty officers were requested to take down the licence plates of anyone they spotted breaking the ban. The chat-happy drivers then received a letter warning them they'd been spotted and suggesting they stop before they get eyeballed by a man in uniform.