Motorists caught driving while using a hand-held mobile phone will now face a £60 fine and three points on their licence. The change in the law, also means drivers could be prosecuted for using a hands-free phone if they are not in control of their vehicl

Motorists caught driving while using a hand-held mobile phone will now face a £60 fine and three points on their licence. The change in the law, also means drivers could be prosecuted for using a hands-free phone if they are not in control of their vehicle. But will tougher penalties put people off using a phone at the wheel? ADAM LAZARRI went to find out.

Julieta Santos, 41, originally from Germany, but living in Ely:

"I agree with this move.It is very dangerous if you are not totally concentrating on the road when you are driving, so the penalty is fair enough.

I've seen people talking on their phones while driving down the dual carriageway at 70mph and they could easily be distracted. If anything, the fine should be higher, something like £100."

Simon Pittock, 28, from Cambridge and living in Ely:

"Increasing the penalty is definitely a good idea, but some people are so arrogant, this still wouldn't stop them.

I recently saw a guy talking on his mobile phone, hanging out of his car and ogling a woman, and he knocked a buggy over - he could easily have killed someone.

I think a £250 fine wouldn't be unreasonable. I've studied psychology and when most people talk on the telephone, they subconsciously visualise the person they are speaking to. So it definitely takes away a significant amount of concentration from their driving."

Daniel Block, 27, from Ely:

"I think the fine should be higher. Putting points on the licence wouldn't make a lot of difference to some people, as some even boast about how many points they have got.

I saw a programme on the Discovery Channel that showed that an individual's concentration levels are usually higher when driving after drinking alcohol than they are when using a mobile phone."

Gemma Hustwayte, 25, from Little Downham:

"The punishment is still nowhere near what it should be.

I often see lorry drivers driving fast and swerving all over the road because they are talking on their mobile phones. It's terrifying. Some people need to have their licence taken away from them before they kill somebody.

I don't think that hands-free kits are a good idea either because people will still have to turn them on and they will be concentrating on their conversation rather than on the road. If the call is that important, they will ring back."

Christine Gallop, 39, from Ely:

"I think that the punishment is about right, though it should be increased for repeat offenders.

I very rarely see anyone talking on the phone while driving anymore, so the punishment seems to be putting people off."

John Growns, 60, from Ely:

"Sixty pounds is enough of a deterrent. I don't think that any more points should be added to the licence, but I'm a taxi driver, so I'm probably a bit biased.

It's very dangerous to be on your mobile phone when you are driving so people should be punished for it.

I see fewer people doing it now, but people do pull over in the most ridiculous places to take their calls.