Fleet drivers may be at risk of inadvertently breaking new mobile phone laws due to lack of awareness.
The new rules come in this year and mean anyone caught using their handheld device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.
The new legislation closes a previous loophole that enabled people caught filming or taking photos while driving to escape punishment as lawyers had successfully argued this activity did not fit into the ‘interactive communication’ previously outlawed by the legislation.
But new research from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles finds many drivers could unwittingly break the new rules as they’re not aware of them.
The new law states it is illegal to touch your device – designed to prevent the previous loophole that allowed taking photos or scrolling on social media. While it is still legal to use sat nav on your mobile phone, it must be safely secured to the dashboard or windscreen, where it must not block your view.
In addition, you must also have hands-free access, such as a Bluetooth headset, voice command, or integration with the on-board infotainment system, with police able to stop you if they see you are distracted by the phone.
But VW’s research among 1,000 UK van drivers found nearly half – 46% – use sat nav apps on their smartphone, potentially put them at risk.
To help drivers stay the right side of the law, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a range of navigation options across its van line-up, including the Discover and Discover Pro systems, with free map updates, as well as App-Connect which allows you to transfer supported smartphone apps, such as mapping, directly onto your infotainment system via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
David Hanna, head of sales operations at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, commented: “We know that van drivers rely on sat navs to get them from one job to the next, but it’s important they do so legally. No matter which app or device you prefer for your directions, we have the technology in our award-winning range of vehicles to get you from A to B in a way that best suits you, while ensuring both yourself and other road users are safe.”
