And the worst aspect of all (which means that hands-free calls should also be banned) is the diminished reaction times which people involved in phone calls exhibit. Many studies suggest that using a phone whilst driving is actually worse in that respect than driving with excess alcohol. It has nothing to do with "fiddling with buttons" (which can be dealt with by the careless driving law). However, we digress.
The crux of my argument is this, Mikey:
What the government is proposing is a fourfold increase in the maximum fines available for any offence that is dealt with by way of a fine, not a fourfold increase in sentences. This will make no difference whatsoever because there are no plans to amend the sentencing guidelines.
To take speeding as an example, the current guidelines for disposal of a speeding offence which is heard in the Magistrates' Court is a maximum fine of one week's net income (reduced by a third in the event of a guilty plea). In fact the usual maximum for any offence is just one and a half week's net income (although there are provisions for some offences to be dealt with by way of higher fines, but they need not concern us here). Magistrates are bound to follow these guidelines unless there are compelling reasons to sentence outside them. Any sentences beyond the guidelines imposed without good reason are likely to result in a successful appeal.
The current maximum fines for speeding are £2,500 on a motorway, £1,000 elsewhere. So, unless a defendant has a net income of £1,000 pw (or £2,500 for a motorway offence) there is absolutely no chance that they will receive a fine of anything like the current maxima. Since the average income in the UK is around £23,000 it follows that the average fine for speeding imposed in the Magistrates' Court following a guilty plea will be around £300.
This is a typical example of a government wishing to be seen to be doing something when nothing is necessary. The current maxima are quite sufficient when compared to the current guidelines and newspaper headlines suggesting that drivers will be fined £10k for speeding are ridiculous.