NEW MOBILE phone laws for drivers come into force next week.
At present, drivers who are stopped while using a mobile phone are issued with three penalty points on their licence and a £100 fine.
Under the new legislation, which comes into force on Wednesday March 1, the consequences will be six points and a £200 fine. In more serious cases, officers have powers to prosecute drivers for careless or dangerous driving. Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, head of road policing for Police Scotland, said: ‘The risks associated with using a phone while behind the wheel have always been very clear. Any driver will be distracted by a phone call or text message as it affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk.