The Road Safety Act gained additional teeth in September.

Fines were upgraded. And tougher sentences added.

It means business drivers have a greater chance of losing their licence if they break the law.

Which could have an impact on the profitability of businesses if they lose key staff.

Perhaps more disturbing is the chance of staff going to jail. The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that if drivers are found driving in an unsafe manner because of mobile phone usage, a charge of dangerous driving could be brought.

This carries a two-year jail sentence.

However, it seems more drivers are taking notice of the tougher laws. The number of car drivers using handheld mobile phones has fallen by 40%, says a recent Department for Transport survey.

But leasing company Alphabet’s own survey suggests illegal usage is still widespread: it found three out of 10 company car drivers still using phones; only 43% on hands-free units.

Robert MacLeod of primelegal consultants said: “Since February, anyone who uses a handheld mobile phone while driving risks a £60 fine and three points on their licence. It makes sense for small businesses to ensure they have a sound mobile phone policy which is clearly communicated and acknowledged by their staff.”

The Road Safety Act 2006 has also introduced stringent penalties for other offences.

Key changes to the Road Safety Act

• Increase in maximum fine for careless and inconsiderate driving: from £2500 to £5000
• New offence of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving: custodial sentence up to five years
• Maximum £500 fine for all seatbelt-wearing offences
• Rise from three to six penalty points for failing to provide information on the identity of a driver caught speeding by a camera
• Provision of a sliding scale of penalty points for speeding, based on the severity of the offence
• Banning of speed detection devices such as radar detectors. (GPS-based speed-trap locators remain legal)
• Maximum fine for failing to stop when asked by police raised from £1000 to £5000
• Repeat drink-drivers to retake their driving test
• New offence of causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured. Jail sentence up to two years

Further information

• Go to our Law section for fuller details of the Road Safety Act
• The DfT has a page on the Road Safety Act here