Motorists who use hand-held moblie phones while driving will now face tougher penalties. The maximum fixed penalty has doubled to £60, and three points can be added to offenders' licences. The new laws are coming in to force today. In 2005, 13 deaths and 400 hundred injuries were blamed on drivers using hand-held mobile phones. Motorists will also be prosecuted for using a hands-free phone if they are not in control of their vehicles.

Tens of thousands of drivers face getting points which-when combined with other phone or speed camera offences- could see them banned under the 'totting' up system if they hit 12 points. Road safety Minister Dr Ladyman said that it was just as dangerous for people to use mobiles while 'wobbling' around roundabouts as it was on motorways.

Under the new proposals, Ministers are looking at strenghtening police powers to make it easier for officers to check whether a phone was in use at the time of the accident.