By now everyone should know that if you’re caught using your mobile phone while driving you’re breaking the law. It is dangerous to do so as your attention is diverted from the task of actually driving in order to converse with someone, while trying to hold the phone with one hand and steer your vehicle with the other.

Accidents have been caused and people have died. More regularly though the police stop drivers using their phones and issue them with on the spot fines of £60 and reward them with 3 points on their license.

What you might not realise however is that your mobile phone isn’t the only thing that can get you fined and potentially banned. You can also be fined for using your MP3 player, changing tracks, adjusting volume or switching it off.

South Wales Police have been cracking down recently on drivers who insist on using their phones while behind the wheel of their cars. In March 367 people were caught by South Wales Police in a blitz on the roads.

Carwyn Evans is a road safety inspector, and she said:

These results show we will keep cracking down on anyone using a mobile while driving. Using a mobile phone at the wheel can be as dangerous as drink-driving, and a few words really can be as dangerous as a few drinks.

Although the campaign is finished, all year we will be out on the roads and will take action against anyone reckless enough to use a mobile while driving.

The law on mobile phone usage while driving has existed since 2003, but the penalties were increase recently as too many people have been flouting the law.

The Crown Prosecution Service has stated that mobile phone users could face up to 2 years in jail if they use their phones while driving and are judged to have been a danger to other motorists or pedestrians.

They also stated that the law applies to the use of other devices, not just mobile phones, such as radios, sat-navs and MP3 players.