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A petition submitted to the Number10.gov.uk website by pro-cycling group RoadPeace has returned a blank response from the Government.
In a response to the petition, which gathered 3,654 signatures over several months, the Government rehashed its current policy on mobile use at the wheel and stated it feels no greater deterrants are needed at present to deter and punish those caught.
The Downing Street response reads:
The penalties for these offences (using a mobile at the wheel) are already significant. For a prosecution, courts have the power to disqualify an offender from driving, for which there is no upper limit, or to impose three penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000 (£2,500 if driving a bus, coach or goods vehicle). Alternatively, the offender may be offered the option of a fixed penalty notice with three penalty points and a £60 fine.
The Government is not convinced that the introduction of further penalties at this stage would create a more effective deterrent. In particular, should this involve confiscation of a mobile phone, it is more than likely that many offenders would simply acquire a replacement phone as soon as possible, whether or not they went on to use it whilst driving.
