Drivers using hand-held mobile phones are putting lives and livelihoods at risk
RHA welcomes stricter punishments for mobile phone use, and encourages its members to include a mobile phone policy in their employment contracts.
Under new rules, motorists committing the offence of using a hand held mobile phone while driving will get six points on their licence and face a £200 fine.
However, HGV drivers face additional sanctions over and above the increased points and fines through the industry’s regulator – the Traffic Commissioners. TC’s can and do take action against drivers who use hand held mobile phones. If caught committing such an offence, the Police automatically pass the offence information to the relevant TC. This action is also taken against HGV drivers committing such an offence when driving vehicles other than HGVs as the Commissioners consider that HGV drivers must maintain high professional standards at all times – even when driving cars or other vehicles.
Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “As far as the road haulage sector is concerned, the RHA is urging employers and drivers to help eradicate this practice from the industry once and for all. Those that continue to flout the law are putting lives and their own livelihoods as risk.
“The RHA’s compliance audit team always stress to RHA members the importance of a company mobile phone policy to be included in all driver contracts of employment. Failure to do so can have serious repercussions, both for the driver and the employer. The RHA fully supports the additional sanctions taken by the Traffic Commissioners against professional drivers convicted of using hand-held mobiles while driving."
