Drivers are being warned they must stay up-to-date with the Highway Code or risk being fined and slapped with penalty points.
It comes as several changes to road laws were made in 2022, including giving pedestrians the right of way.
Motoring experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk are now urging drivers to take note of the updates to ensure they don't get caught out.
The Highway Code makes it clear that drivers caught using or even holding their phones will receive a fine of up to £200 and six points on their licence.
It is now completely illegal for those who are driving to hold or use their mobile phones, sat navs, tablets and any other devices that can send and receive data.
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Drivers must now give way to pedestrians (Getty Images)Hands free access is allowed whilst driving, such as voice command systems and built-in sat navs, so long as the driver is not holding these devices.
If motorists are caught holding or using devices as they are driving, a £200 fine and six penalty points could incur, and for new drivers, their licence could be stripped away completely.
The hierarchy of road users was also introduced as part of the Highway Code changes, as pedestrians will now always have right of way, putting the greatest responsibility onto drivers of large vehicles.
Doing so helps protect more vulnerable road users, like cyclists and pedestrians.
The Highway Code states that motorists who are in control of a vehicle which will cause the greatest harm in a collision bears the greatest responsibility of driving safely to protect road users who are more at risk.
Every new built house or block of flats now has to have a EV charging point (Getty Images)The H1 rule also states how cyclists and horse riders must ensure they are accommodating and wary of pedestrians.
Rule H2 in the Highway Code makes it clear pedestrians now always have the right of way on a road drivers are turning into.
Previously the vehicle had right of way, but now drivers must wait for the pedestrian to cross before continuing - this applies when turning into a road as well as someone crossing in slow moving traffic.
Rule H3 tells drivers and motorbike users when they are turning - priority should be given first and foremost to cyclists and horse riders.
Drivers should no longer cut across these more vulnerable road users who are continuing ahead when the motorist is changing directions or lanes and turning into or out of junctions.
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Essentially vehicles need to avoid turning if there is a cyclist or horse using the road on approach to the junction, so the vulnerable users do not need to stop or swerve - wait for a safe gap.
It is now completely illegal for people to hold or use their mobile phones or other devices - apart from hands free - while driving (Getty Images)Tim Alcock from LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said: “There is no excuse for any of us drivers not to know any changes and amendments, however minor they are, to the Highway Code.
“You need to stay up to date with the latest laws on the road to avoid hefty fines and penalty points - if you are caught just holding your phone you could face a £200 fine and six points.
"One of the most important laws is the introduction of rules H1, H2, and H3 which ensures that pedestrians always have right of way when crossing at junctions and in slow moving traffic, and how drivers of larger vehicles now bear the most responsibility.
“Implementing these law changes will help to protect the more vulnerable road users, like pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
“Law changes also apply for infrastructure - the rise of electric vehicles in the UK over the past year has been reflected in the rule book too. New homes and buildings now need to come with EV charging points.
“The best thing drivers can do going into 2023 is to review and keep in mind these changes that have happened in the past year to avoid those big penalties as we go into 2023, when no doubt there will be more adjustments made to the Highway Code.”
Other than the priorities of road users made more clear under the 2022 changes to the Highway Code, new laws are also to do with vehicle infrastructure.
From 2022 onwards, every single new home built in the UK is now required to have EV charging points installed.
This change in law comes after the Government announced the ban on petrol and diesel car sales from 2030, making it easier for Brits to charge their electric vehicles.
The law on installing charge points also applies to new-build supermarkets, workplaces, and other buildings undergoing large renovations.
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