DRIVERS caught using phones illegally face three penalty points on their licences and courts will also have the powers to disqualify drivers for the offence under proposed new legislation. Instead of a three point penalty for speeding, penalties will range from two to six points.

The proposed Bill recognises the impact of speed cameras on the number of speeding offences, saying: ‘With the advent of safety cameras there are many more speeding offences being detected and there are considerable differences in the degree of excess speeding by motorists.

‘The Government therefore feels it is appropriate that the penalty point system is altered so that punishment takes a better account of the level of offending.’

It adds that the precise details of the level of fixed penalty points will be announced at a later date following consultation. Commenting on the Road Safety Bill, Sue Nicholson, head of campaigns at the RAC Foundation, said: ‘The majority of motorists will welcome a crack-down on dangerous drivers, drink drivers and uninsured drivers.

‘Measures such as graduated fixed penalties for speeding should also be included to help restore some public confidence in the camera enforcement regime.’