**NEWS FLASH**

Mobile Phone Legislation / Law Altered

Up to a �2,500 fine and 3 points on your licence, but hands-free phones exempt.

The government have announced that Motorists who use a hand-held mobile phone at the wheel are now to face a fine of up to �2,500 and three penalty points in a new clampdown on dangerous driving.

Fixed penalty fines of �60, which can be increased to a maximum of �2,500 if the matter goes to court, are to be introduced from December 1st 2003. New legislation making the offence subject to three points is expected to follow in the future.

Drivers will face the fines even if they are using their shoulder to support the phone while keeping both hands on the wheel. Text messaging and using a hand-held mobile with an earpiece or microphone will also be covered by the ban.

The only exception, reluctantly granted because a ban would be hard to enforce, will be hands-free systems where no manual control is needed.

The new offence is being introduced as an addition to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.