Hands on the wheel? Hands off your phone!
That is the message from Norfolk Police who are clamping down on mobile phone use whilst driving.
They are launching an awareness project in early May using a mix of education and fines.
The top penalty is a £1000 fine, six penalty points and a driving ban if you are caught.
Chief Inspector Jon Chapman, Head of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “This new law has closed a loophole in the legislation around using a mobile phone whilst driving, which was originally brought into force at a time before phones had cameras and could be used to browse the internet.
“Mobile phones are now an indispensable part of most peoples’ lives – especially younger people – with many unable to resist the urge to check a message or look at the latest social media post by a friend.
“What everyone needs to be aware of is there are no grey areas in the law now – you cannot hold a phone in your hand whilst driving to follow a map, read or send messages, use the internet, take photos, change music tracks or obviously make or take calls.
“There is an exemption which allows drivers to make contactless payment at a drive-thru when stationary. However, it continues to be illegal to use your phone when sat in stationary traffic – whether in a traffic jam or at lights.
“While the emphasis of this campaign is to educate motorists on the law, we will be carrying out enforcement in respect of people caught offending. We have been consistent in highlighting the dangers of using a mobile phone behind the wheel for many years now and our officers have dealt with the consequences of it far too many times, which tragically in some cases have been fatal.”