Sentencing for mobile phone driving offenders

With today's news that motorists who kill while using mobile phones face up to 14 years in prison, Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, comments on the growing intolerance to mobile phone driving offences in the insurance market.

"We're not surprised that such a strict sentence has been brought in and insurance companies are quite rightly taking an equally dim view of such offences.

"AA Insurance uses of a panel of more than 20 different insurance companies to provide quotes for its customers and by consulting them we've found that the average insurance premium rises by almost £40 a year - well over £100 over the three year offence period - for those who have a conviction for driving while using a hand held mobile phone. Furthermore, one insurer refused to quote for a single mobile telephone offence.

"While today's news will no doubt make the public think twice about using their phone while driving, many will still not be aware that their insurance premiums will rise."