A £1.27 gadget that will help you avoid a £1,000 fine and make driving a dream

DRIVERS are raving about a clever little gadget that could avoid a £1,000 fine and make driving a dream.

This ‘handy’ device can keep you focused on the road and free from distractions, preventing hefty fines and accidents.

Thanks to this “handy” device, you will be able to focus on the roadSource: Getty

Satellite navigation may be one of the best inventions of the technological era, making it much easier to avoid getting lost when driving on unfamiliar streets.

Popular traffic apps like Waze and Google Maps can even help drivers avoid traffic jams by providing real-time updates.

But as useful as they are, these apps can land you in hot water if you don’t use them carefully.

Motor Match experts have warned drivers that if they are caught with a phone behind the wheel they could face a fine of up to £1,000 and six penalty points.

Previously, the law only prohibited talking and texting on a cell phone while driving, which was called “interactive communication.”

In 2022, these loopholes were closed, making it illegal to even touch your phone while driving.

Hands-free calls and using your phone for satellite navigation are still allowed, provided you do not enter your destination while driving.

That’s why automotive experts are urging drivers to attach their phones to the windshield for easier access.

Motor Match magazine says: “If you need a phone for navigation while driving, a hands-free windshield mount is the best choice, but it must not block your view of the road or traffic.”

The affordable and useful device can be easily found on websites such as Temu and retails for £1.27.

Watch as cops on horseback chase a driver behind the wheel using a cell phone

The reviews of the gadget are delightful – 1,300 car holders have already been sold.

One person wrote: “Very rough and comfy.”

Another reviewer added: “A useful gadget worth having.”

Someone else said: “Good quality for such a cheap product.”

If you decide to use a windshield mount, make sure it is placed in the right place.

Mounting a navigation device in the center of your windscreen is not technically illegal, but obstructing your view will result in an immediate fine of £100.

Windscreen-mounted phone and sat-nav mounts may constitute a breach of the code.

The code states: “Windshields and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to visibility.”

In legal proceedings, a phone holder taped to the windshield could be perceived as obstructing the driver’s view.

The Road Traffic Act states that “no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road if he is in such a position that he cannot… have a full view of the road and the traffic in front of it.”

Road safety officer Neil Worth said the safest place for the handle was “in the lower right corner of the windscreen”.

Drivers using a satnav or phone that is not on the dashboard or windscreen could be fined £200 and up to six penalty points.

UK laws on using your phone while driving

USING a mobile phone while driving can get you into serious trouble as you pose a risk to yourself and other road users.

Since 2003, it has been illegal to use a cell phone to talk or send text messages while driving.

However, this only applied to small parts of the law, such as actually holding the phone to your ear while talking.

From March 25, 2022, holding a mobile phone while driving has become an offense.

This now includes touching or swiping the phone screen.

This also applies to stopping in a traffic jam or waiting at traffic lights.

Can I use a hands-free kit while driving?

You can use mobile phones – as long as you don’t press any buttons – satellite navigation and two-way radios while driving or riding.

A car’s touchscreen dashboard is not exempt from penalties, as National Vehicle Contract director Keith Hawes also warned against its use.

Keith said: “Touchscreens have become a common addition to modern vehicles, and the more complex they are, the more distracting they can be.

“If you are found to be out of control of your vehicle as a result of using dashboard gadgets or hands-free devices, you could face criminal prosecution.”

However, if the police believe that you are distracted and have no control over your vehicle, you may be stopped and cited. The law also applies to people riding motorcycles.

Any hands-free devices should be fully configured before driving.