The ban came into effect on Monday sees motorists facing a £30 on the spot fine if they break the rules.

Police are expected to be lenient with offenders in England and Wales - at least for the first two months, but in Scotland drivers will be given no such concession.

Hands-free kits are allowed, but many road safety experts say they do not reduce the risks of having an accident.

Despite the changes a survey of drivers found 94% were unaware of the changes - even though a quarter admitted phoning or texting while behind the wheel.

What do you think about the ban? Will it improve road safety?

Your comments:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Jenny from Scotland What justification is there for people in England and Wales getting a two-month grace when they are not in Scotland? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

Your reaction:

Driving has ceased to be an excercise of skill and resposibility and instead the car has become an extention of our lives into which we take both our faults,and our virtues and consider it our given right to resist any attempt to legislate against our personal domain on four wheels. The facts are that very few individuals actually have all the necessary physical and mental attributes required to drive without being a potential danger to others. The first step is more stringent testing including a medical. The second step is to ban not only mobiles but anything that detracts from the driver's control including smoking. Then having legislated actually enforce the law. How many more lives have to be trivialised by saying 'oh they died in a road accident' as if it was an unavoidable fact of life.
John, UK

After having one car written off by a rear end shunt from a man using a mobile who "didn't notice I was there" and once having to run for my life from a zebra crossing because the woman who nearly mowed me down was using hers and hadn't seen me, I'd say yes, about time it was made illegal.
Ken Johnson, UK

I just spent 3 hours in a jam -couldn't call my wife because the queue was moving at 1 mph, no where to stop - zero danger from using a phone. Nanny state wins again.
Richard Hough, Cheshire UK

Only when points are added to drivers' licences will drivers take heed B, UK

The penalty for using a hand held mobile phone in the car is no deterrent. How can anyone concentrate on the road in front of them whilst holding a phone. It is only when points are added to drivers' licences will drivers take heed. It is the same with speed cameras whether people approve of them or not. Most drivers slow down when they pass them because they know that there is a risk they could have their licences endorsed.
C B, UK

The problem with the "some people cause accidents so it must be completely banned" school is that there are simply so many things that fall into that category. Every time the state gets more intrusive, the individual's responsibility is reduced. I suppose we'll need a "citizen's responsibility law" soon because a lack of responsibility is causing accidents.
Steve, UK

This worries me slightly, how long will it be until drivers end up having to sit in soundproof compartments so they can not be distracted by passengers or the radio?
Nick, UK

Tests have shown that it's the concentration on the phone call which is dangerous from a driver in a moving vehicle and that such lack of concentration is worse than for someone exceeding the drink-drive limit. To me, this appears to be irresponsible legislation. How long will it be before someone injured or maimed through such lack of concentration sues the government for legislating without due care and attention?
John M, Lyne Meads, UK

Being able to call ahead saying you'll be late can help you take more care in getting to your destination. Instead of beating everyone with a stick, subsidise hands free units. Either that or ban the following whilst driving: smoking, changing a CD or radio station, eating and drinking, reaching for a map, closing/opening a window or sunroof, looking anywhere other than straight ahead for a second etc.
Paul, UK

I agree with this and also Paul Simpson's comment about 'other' things that drivers' do.
I'm waiting to see vehicles parked up on the motorway hard shoulder...
Mark, UK

Fair enough. Fiddling with a mobile while driving is a bad thing, and we all knew that really.
The trouble with mobile phones is that you can be reached anywhere, anytime - and not picking up a call was often construed as a slight on the caller. Until now. Now we can plead (after missing a call): "Sorry, I was driving".
It's almost as good as; "the cheques in the post".
Charlie Dancey, UK

The problem is that Blair and co. think that all they have to do is pass a law and as if by magic the problem goes away John, UK

It's about time - though the police already had the powers required anyway. The problem is that Blair and co. think that all they have to do is pass a law and as if by magic the problem goes away. The police don't enforce half the laws we've got already when will they find time to enforce this one as well?
John, UK

The only problem I see with this law is there will probably now be people parked up all over the place blocking lanes, entrances etc to talk on their phones. The mobile phone policy I have recently written for my company stipulates that the driver must park legally and turn off the engine before making a call.
Helen, UK

Having lived for some years in countries where you will be fined for using a mobile in the car I can say, from experience, that this kind of law will not work. People will continue to use the phone, they will simply hang up if they spot a police vehicle - tis the way it works I am afraid. Maybe the solution is to make it a "lose your licence" offence.
Paul, Belgium

Excellent idea. But it should be £60 and three penalty points.
Lester Stenner, UK

I'm delighted. My company has been forced to issue a policy that says we as employees are discouraged from using phones in cars. This means I get an hour's peace driving to work. I get an hour's peace driving home and I'm fully in compliance with my employer's policy. It won't last. I am willing to bet I am issued with a bluetooth headset within a month.
Kathy, UK

Double the fine, endorse licence with penalty points and do both with immediate effect. Anyone so self absorbed as to be using a mobile phone at the wheel of a motor vehicle does not deserve to hold a driving licence.
John Moore, UK

I believe that the ban is correct but the money raised from fines should go (along with that raised from speeding fines) to better driver training and education, and a tougher driving test. However, surely forcing drivers into using 'hands-free' kits will no doubt free up an extra hand for taking notes, eating or reading newspapers! All of which I have witnessed people doing whilst driving and some all three at once!!!
Garfield, UK

People on foot with mobile phones are blinkered enough, let alone at the wheel of a vehicle. Coming into the office this morning I was stuck behind someone ambling along while chatting on the phone, slowly wandering through the revolving doors without any consideration for people behind. He probably didn’t even notice I was there such was the distraction of his phone call.
Sam, England

As for improving road safety a decent driving test level would help more Barry P, England

With this Law two days old we already have the confusion setting in that occurs whenever rushed and ill thought out legislation is passed. Remember the Dangerous Dogs Act? Who knows what is a pit bull terrier and what isn't? Remember the hundreds of other laws passed in recent years which after a few days of glory are unenforced because they are unenforcable? How can I as a Police Constable tell the difference between a mobile phone held to the ear and a plastic imitation? How can I prove that it is a phone at all unless I seize the article each time and thoroughly examine it? The most likely result of this ill thought out bit of law is that some people will have their insurance claims refused if they are using a phone when there is a collision. As for improving road safety a decent driving test level would help more.
Barry P, England

Leaving aside whether this is a good law or not, how typical of this headline grabbing government to only do half a job: the legislation is specific to mobile telephone use. The use of hand held two-way radios, CB handsets, indeed anything that is not a "mobile telephone" remains legal. This government is adept at not thinking through what it does so long as a headline can be ensured.
Stuart Blake, UK

Forget banning mobiles whilst driving, or eating at the wheel, drinking, talking to passengers etc... a sure way of reducing accidents is to make drivers retake a driving test every 10 years. The fact that too many people don't use their indicators or hog middle lanes on motorways is evidence that they need reminding of what the Highway Code says. We might find that better drivers may even reduce congestion - so if a mobile ban is the start of better driving then I'm all for it.
Lee, UK

I wish I understood what people have got against this new offence. Sure, there is an offence of driving without due care and attention, but you could apply that to drink driving too and we have a separate offence for that. This new law will draw people's attention to how dangerous it is to drive whilst using a mobile phone, like the legislation regarding wearing seat belts drew people's attention to that. And as for people complaining about the government banning something - excuse me, but isn't using a mobile phone whilst driving a dangerous thing to do, causing many injuries to other people?
Katherine, UK

Why not look at Satellite Navigation, DVD players, map reading, wiping fogged windows... Paul Simpson, UK

I have to say having been a mobile user for approx 12 years the problem has definitely grown exponentially with the growth of the mobile phone. I just can't understand why they have limited the legislation to mobiles (worse still specific frequencies of mobiles/radios (presumably to keep emergency services and taxis outside the new legislation)) and why have they stopped with communication devices. Why not look at Satellite Navigation, DVD players, map reading, wiping fogged windows, frosty morning letterbox drivers, drinking, eating and of course smoking (a phone can be dropped in an emergency, a fag can't!)
Paul Simpson, UK

Having lost a friend in a car accident because some fool was dialling his girlfriend on his mobile, I'm in total favour of this law but would like to see much stiffer fine and a mandatory point on the licence. I wonder how many more people have to be killed by selfish, ignorant people before the whingers return to planet reality!
Adrian, UK

I read these posts yesterday and thought 'I'd never use my phone whilst driving'. On the way home my phone rang! I answered it and said I'll call you back in 5 minutes. Shame on me. I think the temptation is too great when you hear that ring tone.
Luke, UK

Whenever you see some twit weaving around in his lane or driving at half the speed of anyone else, be sure he's either drunk - or yakking on the phone!
Carolyn Outhwaite, USA

At last common sense rules. I think it will improve the roads enormously. There will always be the boy racers, and similar such idiots on the roads. However there are many people who think using a mobile doesn't affect them or their driving, but whom you only have to drive behind to know differently. I only hope that the police do clamp down on these drivers and it's not just going to be a nine minute wonder.
Carol, UK

Many countries in the world have similar law in place for a long time and it does cut down road accidents Rakesh, London, UK

For overall safety on the road, both for the driver as well as for other drivers and pedestrians, a mobile phone ban while driving is a must. Many countries in the world have similar law in place for a long time and it does cut down road accidents. If you need to have an urgent conversation or 'must answer the phone', stop at roadside, have a quick word and continue driving. That's the way it should be.
Rakesh, London, UK

Thank goodness for this new law. I just hope it gets enforced really strictly so that it makes a real difference to road safety. Standards of driving are poor enough without the added distraction of mobile phones. The law on wearing seat belts in the front seats isn't enforced that strictly so is often ignored yet this would contribute so much to road safety.
Mehbs, England

I support the ban. Talking on a mobile phone is always more distracting to the driver than talking to passengers. Passengers can help the driver by navigating etc and a driver can always tell a passenger, who will normally be watching the road, to be quiet when he/she needs to concentrate more on the road. A caller on the other end of the phone, on the other hand, has absolutely no idea what the driving conditions are like and that is why talking on a mobile, particularly a hand held mobile, is dangerous and should be a specific offence.
John, London, England

Luckily they haven't banned using a lap-top whilst driving - how else would I have had time to send this e-mail!
Robbie, UK

I agree that mobile phones should only be used with a hands free kit, when driving. However, to those who would go further and have a total ban on their use whilst driving on the grounds that the conversation itself is distracting, I would say what about police drivers who use radio communications, not to mention Tornado pilots who communicate when flying at twice the speed of sound?
Patricia Wilcock, England

Passing this law cannot have anything but positive consequences Lore and Karen, Belgium

Passing this law cannot have anything but positive consequences. People die every day because of irresponsible drivers and drivers not paying attention to the road. Talking on the phone while driving undeniably distracts the attention. Motorists who really feel the need to talk to somebody when they are in the car, can still buy the hands-free kit. So this law might cause certain problems for some automobilists, but is road safety not more important?
Lore and Karen, Belgium

I don't think a £30 spot fine is either effective or appropriate. I think drivers who use mobiles should be instantly banged up in prison and their precious cars impounded ...why do motorists always think that their potentially life threatening crimes are somehow less significant than any other??
J Max Akroyd, UK

I read with interest that some people feel this is another "smash and grab" tax by the Government. If the Government want to truly convince people that they are trying to establish laws to curtail dangerous behaviour, why don't they remove the fine collection and just leave the offence as penalty points on the licence instead ? Thus, for speeding, your offence incurs penalty points only. They could do the same with using a mobile phone. Removing the "cash cow" would silence the critics once and for all.
Harvey Kennett, UK

This is just another law from a government who want to regulate everything in our lives. If they were serious about road safety they would include holding cigarettes, food, drinks, etc whilst driving as illegal acts. If it is OK to use the existing legislation regarding road safety for these items then it would be OK to include mobile phones in this list as well.
Michael dean, UK

The woman behind me this morning - the first day after the ban was put in place - yakking away with her phone to her ear without a care in the world. Some people are just born stupid. Or maybe it's the fact that she won't get fined for the next two months, so to her the law only applies from then. I applaud this - if only a law banning smoking was passed as quickly... The same woman tossed her cigarette butt - like thousands do every day - out of the window where some poor civil servant will have the honour of picking up after her. Even if smoking isn't banned, surely littering is still a crime?
Jason Miles, UK

A lot of people will ignore the ban Marie, Scotland

I am a driver and a mobile phone user and I must admit that in the past I have driven and talked at the same....plenty of people have. I am a careful driver, I have never had an accident, I take caution in bad weather, near schools and in built up areas. I see so many people driving who are being distracted by eating, talking to passengers or by having kids/animals in the car. I don't see why mobiles should be singled out? I'm not sure if this ban will improve road safety as I believe a lot of people will ignore the ban and a lot of people are just bad drivers in general.
Marie, Scotland

I can see a increase in the number of crashes as drives pull over unexpectedly in order to answer their phone. Why legislate for this issue alone? "Driving without undue care and attention" seems to cover it nicely and, if properly applied, would cover all the eating, hairbrushing and nose-picking that is presumably just as dangerous as using a mobile. Thinking before legislating... there's an idea.
Geoff Taylor, Manchester UK

Once again its a crime to be Scottish, as we see that those drivers breaking the law in England and Wales get a two month reprieve to get used to the ban, while Scots drivers are punished on the spot, with no leniency. How can you call something a crime both sides of the border, then charge only one nation with the offence. Being Scottish seems a good excuse for politics and so forth to openly discriminate against us. And you only need to go as far back as the poll tax to know how much the supposedly UK/British government hates Scotland. A law should be for everyone, equally and without merit, otherwise it's a joke. And I'm sick of the decent people of Scotland being made the guinea pigs for UK/English laws. It's discrimination however you look at it.
AM, Glasgow, Scotland

Obviously, one-hand driving is indeed dangerous and there are enough possibilities to call without using your hands. In addition, contrary to what some people suggest, £30 is surely enough, because it brings the danger to people's attention.
Joris, Sofie, Niel, Belgium

Why make the law so confusing and illogical with regard to handsfree? Deb, UK

As usual we have come to expect utter stupidity from this government. Hand held mobiles should be banned, of that I have no doubt - but why make the law so confusing and illogical with regard to handsfree? What a nonsense - you can't use a good hands free kit unless the mobile is in a fixed kit - but you can text! Madness!
Deb, UK

Unfortunately, education does not work. Smokers have been warned of the dangers but persist in smoking which now has been recognised as endangering others through passive smoking. The result is that the practice is being banned in more and more places. Mobile phones are similar. People seem to use them as if they are addicted, like cigarettes. They have now been recognised as endangering others through careless driving. The result is the same as with smoking. Using the phone is being banned in more and more places.
Graham, England

As always, the abuse and stupidity of a few spoil it for the rest of us! And, of course, we now have to suffer the "experts" tell us what's good for us, ad nausea, like we're all little children! Heaven preserve us from the "perfect people" who want to pass a law against anything and everything not of their liking. Gosh, how I hate these people!
Mark M. Newdick, US/UK

As a London scooterist, I can say with conviction that most of the near-misses I have with motorists are down to them using a mobile phone. I was even knocked off my scooter by a bus driver using a hands-free kit.
Gareth, London, UK

A fine of £30 won't hold some motorists back Pieter - Jan & Christophe, Belgium

It is a good initiative to forbid the use of a hand held phone while driving, but a fine of £30 won't hold some motorists back. However, it is a good thing that hands-free kits are still allowed, because for some people a mobile phone in their car is crucial to practicing their job, for instance cab drivers and sales managers.
Pieter-Jan & Christophe, Belgium

This change in the law although difficult to police is highly likely to bring about both a greater awareness of mobile-free safety, and safer driving conditions. If one peruses the road traffic data over time the introduction of a similar law, enforced wearing of seat belts. This found a marked decline in the number, and severity of road traffic accident after its implementation.
Ben , England

What is so important about most of these calls anyway that they can put lives at risk? A £30 fine won't improve road safety. The fine needs to bigger and hands free banned too. You can see people everyday looking at lap tops on the passenger seats or a pile of papers they are going through whilst talking to their boss whilst they are 'driving'. Switch the phone thing OFF and wait until you get into the office like people used to!
Su Martin, UK

New Labour - New Legislation. Another waste of time and money, if only we had a government who instinctively turned to education instead of legislation. Driving without due care was already an offence, we are becoming one of the most heavily legislated populace in Europe and still the foolish cry for more as evidenced below.
Reid Sommerville, UK

A good law which will sadly have little chance of being enforced as rigorously as it should be Ed, UK

A good law which will sadly have little chance of being enforced as rigorously as it should be. This is due to the fact of the Government's lack of support to road policing with constables in traffic cars and putting more emphasis on speed cameras! Please Messrs Blair and Blunkett give us more traffic Police and make a real positive move to make the roads safer for all.
Ed, UK

It takes one thing to enact a law and another to implement it, much as I believe safety will be improved, what if motorists are unable to pay/not having money immediately to pay.
Patsy Oparaku, Lagos-Nigeria

Having arrived in the UK 18 months ago from South Africa, I was amazed that it was still legal to hold a mobile while driving, as it had been banned in South Africa in 2001. Also a minimum fine of £30 whereas parking fines are generally £60-100, that is ridiculous.
Nic, UK

The world managed perfectly well before the mobile phone, and this legislation is long overdue. Hands-free kits are not the answer, they should not be permitted either.
Bob Harvey, Lincs, UK

A £30 fine is not enough Richard, UK

I think it is brilliant but unfortunately a £30 fine is not enough. Instead fines should be a minimum of £1,000 and also include points on the driving license.
Richard, UK

It is only logical to ban in-car entertainments and talking to other people in the car. They are clearly much greater distractions than a mobile phone.
Steve, UK

It's another nice little earner for the Police I guess. Why can't we have a Police force which actually cares about the public, not just ripping off the motorist? I can show you photographs of Police in the UK doing far more dangerous things than using Phones when driving.
Paul, England

This should have been implemented a lot sooner. I find it disgusting that so many people seem to think it is ok to speak on a mobile phone whilst supposedly concentrating on the road! I recently had a line of 4 cars pass me, every one of them had a driver on a mobile phone...one was even brushing her hair with the other hand! Make the penalties stiffer - there is no excuse for talking on the phone while driving!
Jen, UK

About time too! Only £30 is not nearly enough, it should be £500 at least. Last week in an Esso station I witnessed some ignorant clot of a woman try to answer a mobile phone while PUTTING PETROL IN HER CAR!!! What, exactly, is so important that the rest of us should have to risk being blown up?! The whole culture of mobile phones needs serious education in etiquette and good manners. If getting hit where it hurts (in the pocket) can teach these people some consideration, then it is a good thing and long overdue.
Chrissie, Scotland

Hurrah! Drove back along the M4 and M25 after work. Awful weather yet the variable speed limit signs were at 60MPH! Very unusual for a Monday evening M25 at rush hour in the rain. Everyone drove courteously and there was no road rage. Only one or two selfish, ignorant fools using their mobiles. Hurrah! Common sense prevails. Some people always point to screaming kids, changing the radio settings, etc. No, we're not going to ban them all: use your brain for a change. If the banning of mobile phone use saves lives then I'm all for it.
Taz, UK

This law is much needed. I used to catch a school bus to school on what is a very dangerous road, and the number of times some bus drivers used mobile phones with lots of school children on board beggared belief!!
GWM Lawrence, Scotland

This law should have come in some time ago Edward Watt, England

When calling on mobile phones it is clear that an individual's concentration is affected. They are trying to change gear, chat and steer all at once. This law should have come in some time ago. It is already recognised that even hands free kits reduce the concentration of the driver. No doubt insurers will cash in on this, upping premiums for those with this conviction, or even those who just have a hands free system installed in the car.
Edward Watt, England

Should have been implemented sooner! How can anyone possibly control a vehicle with one hand on the wheel, one hand on the phone and concentration somewhere between the two?
Chris Davison, Britain

I have followed cars weaving through built up areas, across several roundabouts and finally joining a busy dual carriageway while drivers have had mobile phones stuck to their ears. It doesn't take much intelligence to work out that this is a very dangerous practice and I feel that the £30 on the spot fine is pathetic. £500 plus confiscation of offending phone may just make these pig headed drivers understand how dangerous their driving is.
Bob, UK

The existing law was adequate to penalise drivers if they were driving dangerously Chris, Manchester, UK

Why single out phone use? What about e.g. eating a Big Mac meal while smoking a fat cigar and singing Elvis songs at the top of your voice? The existing law was adequate to penalise drivers if they were driving dangerously, if they're on the phone but not driving dangerously (yes it is possible!) why punish them? It's just another piece of nonsense legislation from an excessively authoritarian, populist and cash strapped government.
Chris, Manchester, UK

My husband is a taxi driver here in Italy where the law has a similar standpoint - well what about his taxi radio - does this mean he will have to stop working? And finally what about CBs, is there no ban on these as this would seem a bit hypocritical? Maybe if there is an accident people should be held responsible for their actions and we should all just be educated more as to the risks involved in not concentrating on your driving!
Jacquie, Italy

Using a mobile phone is no more distracting than having a car full of screaming children, changing the station on the radio, conversing with a passenger. Will they ban all those things next?
Allison, England

About time something was done. It should make the roads that little bit safer
Rod Harris, Bucks

Yes, I agree that it is dangerous to drive whilst on a mobile phone, although I have done it, and I'm sure the majority of others who are for it have done the same. How about fining the drivers who clearly can't drive with or without a mobile phone in their hand and who go 30 miles an hour on the motorway! If they can't make it to the speed limit keep off the motorway or get fined.
Anon, England

Sounds good. Hope the government in my country will follow suit soon enough before the death toll of road accident gets higher and higher every festive season.
L Leong, Malaysia

Many times every day, I see bad, negligent, dangerous driving by people using their mobile phones. Simply using one while driving puts one at higher risk of an accident, even if this doesn't happen most of the time. Their use should be banned while driving. Would we let a person drive drunk because most times they wouldn't run into somebody?
Jeremy, USA

They say it's having a conversation that really causes the lack of concentration. so are they going to ban us from talking to our passengers next, or listening to music. The logic does not stand up. Ban hand-held phones, yes, but that is where it must stop. P.s. when are they going to ban smoking by drivers?
Ray Rylatt, Britain

It is very difficult to enforce and a waste of police focus Michael Minchin, UK

This is simple a cash generating exercise. It is very difficult to enforce and a waste of police focus. People will still be able to have a can of coke in one hand, a cigarette in the other, steering with their knee and not get fined. It is impossible to cover all the traits of bad driving through fines. Educating people to drive better is the only way to reduce accidents. Driving licenses lasting 50 years is a ridiculous rule and just enforces bad habits.
Michael Minchin, UK

AMEN!!I wish that they would pass the law here in the USA.
Steve, USA

The news yesterday said that police will more than likely warn people first before fining them. Wow, what a deterrent that is!
Scott Davies, UK

Sounds like a silly idea. Here in Texas, it is legal and common place to not only talk on the phone but apply makeup or shave, eat a burger and fries (with ketchup on the side), drink from a gallon sized cup, read a newspaper - all while "driving". The key is functional automobiles. Cruise control, automatic transmissions and powered steering allow hands free driving (one knee is perfect!)
Jim Minto, USA

I completely agree that mobile phones should not be used whilst driving but I do wish that these "Anti-smoking" people would get a life! Why not go the whole hog and ban talking to your passenger, using your radio, scratching your nose etc, etc? There is "common sense" and there is the "Anti Smoking" league.
Simon, UK

Research has shown that using a phone while driving has the same effect on safe driving as being twice over the drink limit. The new law is quite inadequate; the penalty should be automatic loss of licence.
Michael, England

Make smoking as a driver illegal as well - the number of times smokers are distracted by their need to extinguish or light a cigarette - or lose the end of their cigarette in their laps whilst driving. I know of people who have set light to their car seats whilst driving - so this must go. After all eating and driving is a no no!
SH, UK

I agree it should be £500. £30 is not a deterrent. I've just had somebody drive into the back of me because they were reaching for their mobile.
AB, UK

To me it is common sense not to use a mobile phone when driving. I also feel that £30 is far too little as a fine and should at least be £1000.
Wendy Bell, United Kingdom

Whilst driving without due care and attention is already an offence, I think singling out using a mobile at the wheel is a good idea because it is so common, so dangerous, and because so many people falsely believe that they are in full control of their vehicle whilst doing it. It makes the job of the police and the courts a lot easier. Rummaging for a tape in the passenger side glove compartment is just as dangerous, equally an instance of driving without due care, but far less common and therefore unworthy of being singled out for special legislation.
Nigel Shardlow, UK

As an additional piece of information perhaps drivers should be aware that, in the event of an accident when using a mobile phone, their insurance would only cover the third party. Any damage to their own vehicle would be their own responsibility. That's more of a deterrent than a £30 fine.
Lorraine, UK

If this ban goes any small way to stop this ludicrous kind of selfish stupidity, then I'm all for it Sharon, Scotland

I watched a woman come out of a shop, put the baby in the car seat, and drive off the other day, all whilst chattering inanely on her mobile. I simply cannot understand why she could not have finished the conversation before driving off, especially with a baby in the car. If this ban goes any small way to stop this ludicrous kind of selfish stupidity, then I'm all for it.
Sharon, Scotland

How can it be unsafe to drive and talk yet be safe to drive and smoke? Given a choice between dropping my phone and dropping a fag, I know which would cause most panic if I were driving. The law is just another way to get some more money from the already ripped off motorist.
Rich, UK

I agree this is long overdue. I cycle to work every day and see many people on their phones not paying enough attention to their driving - poor lane discipline, bad braking, missing the lights because they don't see them change, etc, I see all of this. I've also had several near misses with people on their phones while driving. I think the "grace period" idea should be dropped, and the minimum fine raised to get the message across.
Ian, England

Most drivers who use mobiles appear completely oblivious to other road users. But then, many drivers seem oblivious even when not using mobiles. I doubt whether this ban will improve road safety - £30 won't deter drivers who think the Highway Code doesn't apply to them.
Crystal Dowell, UK

It is already an offence to drive without due care, why should there be an extra law for phones. Will we have a specific law to fine you for changing the CD whilst driving as well?
Andy Carnall, UK

If you've got it in your hand, prepare to get banned.
Nuff said!
Phil Charlton, UK

Phil Carlton said "If you've got it in your hand, prepare to get banned." Is he still talking about mobile phones? ;)
Andy Hughes, UK

I completely agree with the ban. Life is precious and shouldn't be risked by one selfish person on their mobile phone. If the call is that important, then the driver shouldn't mind pulling over to take the call. It's great that the police have now been given a specific power to deal with this whereas before the law didn't exactly define this offence.
Rhian Millington, England

It is already illegal to drive without due care, so why does the government think introducing new laws will make driving safer, if the existing ones aren't being enforced anyway?
Martin, England, UK

I drive around 50K miles per year on business. Every day I see people using handheld mobile phones when they drive. It's not too difficult to spot them, they are the ones to brake too late and too hard, the ones who switch lanes at the last moment, who drift, who drive at inappropriate speeds. There is clearly a correlation between using a mobile phone whilst driving and lack of concentration. This ban should have come sooner in my opinion.
Sandy, UK

About time too. However, like many of New Labour's recent laws, I expect this one won't be enforced to any great extent.
Iain, UK

Having been shunted by a woman who was on the phone at the time, and three weeks later hit by a cyclist who was texting, I am in favour of this ban. However, I think this is more likely to be a 'cash-grab', rather like speed cameras.
Andrew Howlett, England

It is a good idea. But the police already had sufficient powers. However the 'law' helps bring the dangers to people's attention. However I think other things are more dangerous such as poor lane discipline and not using mirrors
Helen, UK

I don't however think the legislation goes far enough, why not a ban on other activities such as changing tapes or cds etc and especially smoking Alan, UK

As a driver and mobile phone user I agree the ban is justified. I have often seen 'near-misses' on roads where a driver is using a mobile, many of which could have caused a serious accident. I don't however think the legislation goes far enough, why not a ban on other activities such as changing tapes or cds etc and especially smoking. Surely lighting a cigarette and smoking it is just as dangerous, if not more than using a mobile phone.
Alan, UK

Speeding and drink driving are also illegal; however this doesn't deter certain drivers. How are the police going to enforce this? Drink driving and speeding can both be 'measured' where as the use of a mobile is not as simple. I fear this is another method to raise funds for the local police authorities.
Adam, UK

It's about time! Driving standards have gone down hill since mobile phones but yet somehow we managed 10 years ago without them. I don't think people realise that even the smallest distraction doesn't help (i.e. changing a CD or radio - but most cars have controls on the wheel for this now) and the fact someone could get killed because you wanted to answer the phone or send a text is NO excuse.
George, England

This law was overdue but £30 is not enough. It should be £500 so that all those idiots out there learn that you can't concentrate on driving AND being on the phone at the same time.
Franziska, UK

Basically this a very good idea because however it's dressed up holding a telephone conversation is not the same as either listening to the radio or having a conversation with a passenger - the person on the other end of the phone thinks they have your complete attention and cannot manage the conversation to allow the driver to totally concentrate on the road when necessary like passenger can. However, many are going to be caught out by the fact that using a phone when stationary but with the engine still running is also illegal.
Steve, UK

Surely if just one road death is avoided through this law it's worth it?
Dan, UK