Call to penalise drivers harder for using cellphones while driving as road toll soars
(WorldNews New Zealand)

As the road toll jumps, calls are mounting for a review of the punishment handed to motorists who break the driver cellphone ban. The number of people caught using cellphones while driving now outnumbers those caught drink-driving, with 27,681 people flouting the cellphone law in the 12 months to June, compared with 24,858 caught drink-driving. But the Ministry of Transport says it has no plans to increase the penalty, which stands at an $80 fine and 20 demerit points. Wellington City Council transport strategy and operations portfolio leader Chris Calvi-Freeman wants the penalties to be doubled, in line with what happened in the UK earlier this year. READ MORE: