Can companies be fined for allowing their employees to use mobile phones while driving on company business?

摘要

Most drivers have now heard of the regulation that came into force on 1 December 2003 making it an offence to use a hand-held phone, or similar device, when driving. The penalty is a 30 pounds fixed fine or up to 1000 pounds on conviction in court (2500 pounds for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches). The offence is not endorsable, but the Department of Transport (DoT) has plans to increase the penalty by making it subject to 3 penalty points and a 60 pounds fixed penalty. In some circumstances, for example if a phone was in use at the time of an accident, a prosecution for careless or dangerous driving may be justified. The penalties on conviction of the driver for such offences include heavy fines, endorsement, disqualification and, in serious cases, imprisonment.