New, Stricter Penalties Coming for Mobile-Using Van Drivers

It’s never a good idea to use your phone while driving. It could distract your attention making an accident more likely, damage or injury could be incurred, and your insurance premiums will likely rise as a result of having to make a claim.

Increased Penalties for Van Drivers

A new clampdown has been announced and higher penalties will now be awarded for using a phone while driving or speeding. The Sentencing Council has said that these consequences could be even higher for van, truck or bus drivers.

Other factors for increasing the level of the offence include:

• Poor road or weather conditions
• Driving LGV, HGV, PSV etc.
• Towing caravan/trailer
• Carrying passengers or heavy load
• Driving for hire or reward
• Evidence of unacceptable standard of driving over and above speed
• Location e.g. near school
• High level of traffic or pedestrians in the vicinity

What’s Changing?

Changed regarding using hand-held mobile phone points and fines will double on March 1st 2017, and fines for serious offences rise 50% on April 24th 2017.

Serious speeding categories will be as follows:

• 20mph speed limit - 41mph +
• 30mph - 51mph +
• 40mph - 66mph +
• 50mph - 76-85 +
• 60mph - 91mph +
• 70mph -101mph +

Even the safest drivers should be insured as sometimes accidents are unavoidable. Compare tailor-made van insurance quotes online today with us.