MOTORISTS who are caught using a mobile behind the wheel will be hit twice as hard, starting next month.

Police Scotland has launched an awareness campaign today ahead of new legislation coming into force next Wednesday, March 1.

At the moment, drivers who are stopped while using a mobile phone are issued with three penalty points and are slapped with £100 fine.

But after the new law comes into force, the consequences will double and will be six points and a £200 fine.

In serious cases, officers will also have powers to prosecute drivers for careless and dangerous driving.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, head of road policing for Police Scotland, said: “The risks associated with using a phone while behind the wheel have always been very clear.

“Any driver will be distracted by a phone call or text message as it affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk.

"Distraction reduces hazard perception and increases reaction times in a similar way to drink-driving, making drivers much more likely to cause deaths and injuries.

“Drivers who think they can multi-task are fooling themselves: research shows 98 per cent are unable to divide their time without it affecting performance.

“Talking on a phone hand-held or hands free, texting, emailing, adjusting sat navs, eating, drinking and smoking are all proven to increase crash risk.

"The law says a driver must at all times be in proper control of their vehicle. If at any time they are not they may be guilty of an offence.

“Police Scotland consistently targets these offences on a daily basis to reduce road casualties and will deal with offences detected in an appropriate manner.

"We are using this change in the law to, once again, reminding drivers that using a mobile phone while driving has always been unacceptable and even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or text – and a split-second lapse in concentration could result in a serious or fatal collision.”