Drivers using mobile phones could face tougher penalties

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has said she intends to legislate for higher penalty points and fines for motorists who use a hand-held mobile phone while behind the wheel.

Currently, motorists in NI caught using a hand-held phone while driving face a £60 fine and three penalty points.

Ms Mallon told the BBC this "doesn't reflect the seriousness" of the dangers of driving while on the phone.

New proposals would mean a £200 fine and six penalty points.

"A new driver loses their licence if they receive six or more penalty points within the first two years of passing their driving test, so this will send a very serious message to all drivers of all ages and a particularly strong message to our new drivers," Ms Mallon told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"This is important if we are serious about embedding a new culture and changing behaviour."

Ms Mallon said she had written to the assembly's committee for infrastructure to outline her legislative programme priorities, including updating the law to protect road users. 

Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon says she has written to the assembly's Committee for Infrastructure to outline her legislative programme priorities

She said the current road safety strategy had expired in December and work had begun within her department which would help inform her decisions on its successor later in the year.  

"This, for me, is about changing culture and behaviour," said Ms Mallon.

"Mobile phone use while driving needs to be seen like driving without a seatbelt or drink driving. It's socially unacceptable, it's dangerous and it's illegal."

She said that distraction while driving is one of the main causes of road traffic collisions.

More than half of those surveyed for a recent report produced by the Department for Infrastructure indicated the penalty for using a mobile phone while driving should be increased.

The SDLP deputy leader added she was hopeful the committee would support her intentions and they could work together to make Northern Ireland's roads safer.