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Extra costs for those who flout new mobile phone law

The new law banning the use of mobile phones while driving could hit UK motorists hard financially. Now leading car insurer, Admiral is warning drivers that as well as a fine, they could face higher premiums if they break the law and ignore the ban.

From Monday 1st December, it will be illegal for motorists to use a hand held mobile phone while driving. There will be a £30 fixed penalty fine rising to £1,000 if the case goes to court and up to £2,500 for drivers of vans, buses, coaches and lorries. But the cost of being caught soon won't stop there.

The government is planning to make driving while using a mobile phone endorsable, that means if motorists are convicted of it, they will have points on their licence. It also means that car insurance companies will treat it as a conviction much like speeding, and increase the insurance premiums of anyone found guilty.

Managing director of Admiral, Jane stone, said, "The government is planning to make driving while using a mobile phone endorsable sometime soon. They will be increasing the penalty to a £60 fine and three points on the licence. We want motorists to be aware that if they ignore the law, not only will they end up paying a fine, they will also be looking at higher insurance premiums."

For example, Admiral compared the cost of insurance for a motorist with a clean licence, with exactly that of the same driver with a motoring conviction for careless driving. Although the government hasn't yet announced what sort of conviction driving with a mobile phone will be, it is likely to mean a similar increase in the cost of insurance as the figures below:

Quote based on 30-year-old male accountant living in London W2 driving a 2002 VW Golf S 1.6

There is also the added risk that if a motorist is involved in a serious accident, the police will be able to check mobile phone records to see if they were on the phone at the time. The consequences of being caught out like this could be far worse than a fine.

Admiral's own research of over 2000 British motorists revealed that while 72% support a ban on using a mobile phone while driving, 58% of them still do so.

Jane Stone, said, "It's quite worrying that so many people still continue to use their phones when they support a ban, maybe they don't think the police won't actually enforce it. Maybe when motorists realise the real cost of being caught on the phone while driving, they will stop taking the risk."

Issue date: 26-11-03