I’ll have a Big Mac and large fines, please! Thousands of motorists could be breaking the law by using their phone to pay for fast food at the drive-through, survey reveals
- Poll found 78% admitted doing it but only 23% were aware it could be illegal
- Drivers can be prosecuted for phone usage if it is considered distracting
- Using phone’s payment technology at drive-throughs could be breaking the law
Drivers may be breaking the law by using their phones to pay for fast food at drive-through restaurants, a survey suggests.
A poll of 2,000 motorists found 78 per cent admitted doing it but only 23 per cent were aware it could be illegal.
The current law bans drivers from holding their phones to call or text, although they can be prosecuted for other types of usage – for example keying in a satnav location – if it distracts them from the road.
Drivers may be breaking the law by using their phones to pay for fast food at drive-through restaurants, a survey suggests (stock image)
This means those using payment technology in phones to make purchases at drive-through restaurants could technically be breaking the law, according to the number plate firm Click4Reg, which conducted the survey.
The only time a driver can use a handheld phone in a car is when it is safely parked with the engine switched off.
There are now plans to tighten the law to make it easier to prosecute drivers who pick up a phone behind the wheel for any reason.
Motorists could be fined £200 and get six penalty points.
The current law bans drivers from holding their phones to call or text, although they can be prosecuted for other types of usage – for example keying in a satnav location – if it distracts them from the road (stock image)