Motorists told: Switch off mobiles when switching on ignition

The government is urging drivers to switch off their mobile phones before setting off on a journey to cut down the number of motorists still flouting the law by using a mobile while behind the wheel.

Road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick launched the latest £1.5m campaign - also used to raise awareness around drink driving - to encourage motorists to switch off their mobiles in the car to prevent the temptation to answer a ringing phone while driving.

More on the iPhone

News
♦  First iPhone Trojan reported
♦  iPhone 'mugging fear' unfounded, say police
♦  iPhone too pricey for Brits?
♦  iPhone in the UK: Hands up who wants one?
Video
♦ Apple shows off iPhone apps
Photos
♦  Photos: Who's in the iPhone queue?
♦ Steve Jobs and the UK iPhone launch

The launch takes place almost 12 months after the introduction of tougher penalties for mobile use while driving.

Fitzpatrick said talking on your mobile while driving is "distracting and affects your ability to react to dangerous situations" with research suggesting it makes you four times more likely to have a crash.

Despite research showing there has been a 40 per cent reduction in the number of people using a mobile phone while driving, Fitzpatrick said many drivers continue to flout the law.

He explained this is why the Road Safety Act 2006 raised the penalty for using a mobile while driving to three penalty points and a £60 fine (from £30) last year. Using a mobile phone while driving was first made illegal in 2003.

If a driver is found guilty in court there is also the possibility of a driving disqualification and a maximum fine of £1,000 - rising to £2,500 for commercial vehicle drivers.

People can also be fined for failing to have "proper control of a vehicle" which sometimes applies when using a hands-free set up.