Drivers using Google Maps or Waze app risk £200 fine due to 'grey area'

Motorists are being warned about a legal "grey area" that could see them slapped withpenalty points and £200 fines. An expert has advised drivers to err on the side of caution when behind the wheel. Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, issued a warning regarding Google Maps and Waze. He stated: "Google Maps is a brilliant tool, but prompts asking whether there's congestion or a crash can be a real grey area when it comes to the law.

"If you interact with your phone while driving, even just to tap the screen or respond to a prompt, you might be putting yourself at risk of a fine," Mr Conway cautioned. "Even if you avoid prosecution for using a mobile device while driving, police still have the power to issue a careless driving charge if they believe your actions were distracting or dangerous," he elaborated.

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Such offences carry identical penalties of £100 fines and three penalty points on a driving licence. Motorists can be hit with six penalty points and a £200 fine if they hold or use a phone while driving or riding a motorcycle, reports Birmingham Live.

If the case escalates to court, they could face a driving or riding ban, and be hit with a maximum fine of £1,000, or £2,500 if they are driving a lorry or a bus.

It's against the law to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device capable of sending or receiving data, while driving or riding a motorcycle.

This implies that you're prohibited from using a handheld device for any purpose, be it online or offline. For instance, texting, making calls, snapping photos or videos, or surfing the internet are all off-limits.

The law remains applicable even if you're stationary at traffic lights, stuck in a traffic jam, overseeing a learner driver, operating a car with an engine that shuts off when stationary, or holding and utilising a device that's offline or in flight mode.

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