Using a Mobile could cost drivers £5.4m a year.

The AA has recently conducted a study and their findings have identified there is a strong possability that using a hand held mobile phone whilst driving is likely to cause your insurance premium to rise.

The�study of eight major insurers�discovered that one company refused to provide cover for someone after just one mobile telephone offence. The�other 7 increased their premiums by up to 18%. A calculation has concluded that�motorists nationwide could be spending an extra £5.4 million a year as a result of these charges.

Using a mobile phone whilst driving�became an offence in 2003. However, drivers can also be charged with either dangerous or careless driving as a result, which combined with a mobile phone offence, could lead to a ban. The study found that only half the insurers would cover drivers who receive this conviction.

Those who are given a 'CU80' (the police designation for using mobile telephone whilst in charge of a motor vehicle) receive a £60 fine and three penalty points or the maximum fine of £1000 for conviction in court. Drivers who acquire more than 11 points in three years they will be disqualified.

The simple rule is�"Don't even think about not telling your insurer. When you take out or renew your cover,�the insurer�will ask if you have incurred any endorsements on your licence and not telling the truth�could compromise your insurance cover."

Statistics�by the Transport Research Laboratory showed that a typical person's reactions slowed down by more than 50% when they were on the phone. The same report concluded that this had a greater effect than driving at the national drink-drive limit, which produced a 30% reduction on average.

Hands free, bluetooth and telephone pre wiring is arranged by GMC Leasing as part of our contract hire and car leasing agreements. For further details please speak to the GMC Leasing Team on 0870 770 4944.

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