MOTORISTS ARE being warned to switch off their mobile phones—or face the consequences.

Millions of UK drivers still flout the ban on using a mobile phone while driving according to new research.

Up to one in eight drivers were spotted chatting or sending text messages during a survey in 11 major cities during checks commissioned by insurance firm Direct Line.

Police have warned motorists to comply with new rules regarding the use of mobile phones while driving to be introduced next week—for their own and others safety.

The new legislation raises the penalty to a £60 fine and three points on their driving licence—an increase on the current penalty of £30.

The maximum fine for car drivers taken to court rather than receiving a fixed penalty will be £1000, and a fine of £2500 can be handed down to drivers of vans, lorries, buses and coaches.

The revised legislation comes into effect on Tuesday and makes it illegal to use hand held mobile phones or hand held devices while driving or supervising a learner driver.

It also makes it an endorsable penalty to use a hands-free phone if the driver is not in proper control of their vehicle or does not have a full view of the road ahead.

Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, the head of road policing in Tayside said, “I cannot stress just how important it is that drivers stop using mobile phones while driving, because having a telephone conversation or texting distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely.”

Research has shown drivers’ reaction times are up to 50% slower than normal when driving and using a mobile phone.

It also suggests if you are using a mobile phone while driving you are four times more likely to have a crash.

Chief Inspector Bowman added, “The road safety implications seem to be fairy obvious for all road users and I therefore believe the increased penalties will deter many more motorists from using their mobile phone while driving.

“Those that do continue to use their mobile phones are blatantly ignoring these messages and taking the risk, therefore they can expect to be penalised and ultimately run the risk of losing their driving licence,” he said.

Last year 2623 people were caught using their mobile phones whilst driving or supervising a learner driver in Tayside.

The Direct Line research showed at least 1.1 million drivers in the UK were breaking the law.