274 July 2017 - Gryffe Advertizer

26 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 07731 923970 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
Put your phone away
while driving
Kilmacolm Road, Port Glasgow
Boglestone Roundabout to Port Glasgow Shared Campus Roundabout
From Saturday 1 July – 0600 hrs to Friday 14 July – 1700 hrs
Inverclyde Council Carriageway Reconstruction
Diversion (see map below) – A761 Kilmacolm Road, A761 Clune Brae, A8
Glasgow Road, A8 Greenock Road, A8 Port Glasgow Road, A8 East
Hamilton Street, Ratho Street, Belville Street, B788 Kilmacolm Road, B788
Auchemountain Road, B788 Auchenfoil Road, B786 Lochwinnoch Road,
A761 Port Glasgow Road & vice versa.
Back in March, a THINK! campaign highlighting new penalties for drivers
caught using a handheld mobile phone while driving was started.
You’ve probably seen or heard some of the campaign adverts since our
last blog. If you haven’t, there’s a simple message for all drivers – put your
phone away while driving and avoid the temptation of making a call or
answering a text.
Over the past few months, the campaign has focused on you: professional
drivers and employers of professional drivers.
THINK! Have produced a leaflet specifically for drivers and employers. It
gives advice on:
The changes in the law
What penalties drivers and operators can face, including from the traffic
commissioners
The dangers of using a phone while driving
What drivers and employers should do to minimise the risks
Professional Drivers:
The law for mobile phone use
Handheld phones
It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving.
• If you’re caught using a handheld phone while driving, you’ll get 6 penalty
points on your licence and a fine of £200. If you are a professional driver then you
could face fines of up to £2,500.
• HGV and PSV drivers caught using their mobile twice or accruing 12 points on
their licence will face the magistrates’ court.
• Drivers will also be referred to the Traffic Commissioner and could face a
minimum four-week suspension from professional driving.
• Operator licence holders may also face action from a Traffic Commissioner, if
one of their driving employee’s is caught using a handheld device behind the
wheel to speak to their employer or customers.
Handsfree phones
Hands free mobile phone use is legal but it is distracting and can therefore be
dangerous. Depending upon the individual circumstances, drivers could be
prosecuted with ‘failing to have proper control of their vehicle’.
Driver conduct
As a professional driver, you are responsible for maintaining a high standard
of driving.
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving presents an unacceptable risk
to road safety. As a vocational licence holder, you should know these risks
and your conduct and behaviour at the wheel should remain professional at
all times. Not just when driving a commercial vehicle, but also when driving
your own vehicle.
If your conduct falls short of the required standards, a Traffic Commissioner
can take action against your vocational licence. For mobile phone offences,
this is likely to mean a suspension from driving lorries, buses or coaches.
If you’re caught using a handheld
mobile phone in a commercial
vehicle, it’s a minimum four-week
suspension which could affect your
livelihood. And, the action taken by
traffic commissioners is in addition
to any fine and penalty points you’ll
receive.
https://movingon.blog.gov.uk/2017/06/14/
think-put-your-phone-away-whiledriving-2/