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Writer's pictureSafer Highways

Drivers warned to prevent phones from blocking their view


Motorists have been warned about the dangers of improper phone placement on windscreens which could obstruct a clear view of the road.

Road safety experts at Road Angel are urging drivers to be cautious when installing a phone holder, as failure to position it correctly can lead to serious accidents, hefty fines and penalty points.

As of March 2022, it is illegal for motorists to use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for any purpose, unless it’s an emergency.

To make calls and use sat-navs, drivers must have a fully set up hands-free device installed in their vehicle, so they don’t have to handle the phone while driving.

There are certain restrictions on where the hands-free devices should be mounted, as driving without having a full view of the road and traffic ahead goes against the Highway Code*.

The law states that windscreens must be kept free from obstructions to vision and devices like phone holders, dash cams and sat-navs must not intrude more than 40mm into the area swept by the windscreen wiper.

Drivers who position their phone holders incorrectly can be hit with three penalty points and a £100 fine that can reach up to £1,000 if it’s unsuccessfully challenged in court.

Experts recommend positioning the phone holder in the bottom right corner of the windscreen for optimal visibility of the road.

If this isn’t possible, drivers should mount the device at the lowest point in the middle of the windscreen.

It is crucial to avoid placing phones where it may interfere with vehicle controls, distract the driver if it falls, or obstruct any airbags.

Gary Digva, founder of Road Angel said: “It’s critical for drivers to understand the importance of proper phone placement in cars, particularly on windshields.

“The dangers extend beyond mere inconvenience and can pose a real threat to road safety.

“When drivers fail to exercise caution in installing phone holders, the consequences can be severe, ranging from serious accidents to legal penalties in the form of hefty fines and penalty points.

“To comply with the Highway Code, drivers should place the hands-free device in a spot that doesn’t obstruct their view or vehicle controls.

“Driver should mount the phone holder in the bottom right corner so you can see it while driving but it’s not in the way

“We recommend having a dedicated sat nav, speed awareness device and music system to allow drivers to keep their phone out of sight and reduce the temptation to touch your mobile.”

The road safety experts are also reminding motorists that if they’re using a hands-free device for navigation, it’s important to set the destination before hitting the road.

If drivers are caught setting their journey or changing the destination on their phone while driving, they can be faced with six penalty points and a £200 fine which can go up to £1,000.

This applies even if the driver is stopped at traffic lights, queuing, driving a stop start vehicle or when the phone is offline or in flight mode.

Besides emergencies, the only exceptions for using a phone in a car include making a contactless payment in a takeaway restaurant, using the device to park a vehicle remotely and when the car is safely parked


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