New legislation on using mobiles at work - Feb 07  

New legislation coming into force in February 2007 will increase the penalty for using a hand held mobile phone while driving to three penalty points and a fine of £60.

The problem isn’t only with hand held mobiles, hands-free phones are also a distraction and drivers risk prosecution for not having proper control of a vehicle if seen driving poorly while using a hands-free mobile phone. 

Employers who require personnel to use mobile phones for work purposes must ensure they are not expected or encouraged to make or receive phone calls while driving, whether they use a hands-free phone or not. Employers could face prosecution if they require or allow employees to use mobile phones while driving for work, if it is established that the use of the mobile phone contributed to a crash. 

Rickerbys’ Employment team suggest employers raise awareness with their employees about the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.  The use of hand held or hands-free phones should be discouraged by the employer, and a clear policy should be in force relating to the use of mobile phones while driving.  Employees should be encouraged to raise in confidence any pressure from managers or clients to use a phone while driving.