There's already a solution to mobile phone use behind the wheel - ask any young driver

The more you cycle, the more you notice how many motorists are using mobile phones illegally.

The threat of six points and a £200 fine appears to be no deterrent. And the most maddening thing is that there's already a solution - ask any young motorist who's covered by the insurer Marmalade and they'll tell you all about it.

A condition of the insurance is that driver behaviour is monitored by an app. Accelerate too quickly or brake too harshly and points are deducted from a running total - lose too many points and the monthly premium can double. However, perhaps the most powerful benefit of this app-based motor insurance is that the user is forbidden from touching their phone's screen while driving - cradle or no cradle.

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Driving, mobile phones and the law

The law on people using their mobile phones while driving became stricter earlier this year. Drivers can now receive six points on their licence for any hand held phone use.

Since 2003, it’s been an offence to use a hand-held mobile phone for 'interactive communication' while driving. However, over the last decade, use of phones has evolved to include playing music and games, taking photos or videos...some motorists even use their phones to watch television while they're driving.

The change to the law has been prompted by recent court cases, including the driver who was filming a nearby road crash while at the wheel but was subsequently found not guilty because they were not using a hand-held mobile phone for ‘interactive communication’. The judge said the driver's actions were 'out of the scope of this offence.'

Researchers at the Transport Research Laboratory said the law changes are sensible, but the ongoing “focus on ‘hand-held’ devices misses the point”, and a wider appreciation of how even ‘hands-free’ technology can distract drivers is needed.

New mobile phone law for drivers

The new offence will cover any device which is capable of interactive communication even if that functionality is not enabled at the time. This will include a device in flight mode.

The definition of ‘using’ a phone will now 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

Driving while using a mobile phone: The human cost

Clearly all use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving is reckless and dangerous, and not just when being used for the purposes of a call or other interactive communication. However, if you'd like an insight into the human cost, watch the first few minutes of our documentary about road danger...

Stop Killing our Children from ETA on Vimeo.

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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.