Say yes to cheaper van, home and car insurance

Police in Reading have taken to operating undercover in order to catch motorists using their mobile phones while on the road, it has been reported.

A two-hour roadside spot check was carried out on Oxford Road in the area last week, two days after plan-clothed officers were at work on Wokingham Road, according to the Reading Chronicle.

The latter operation led to three drivers being caught while chatting. They will now be offered the chance to attend a 150-minute workshop instead of picking up penalty points, it added.

With penalty points possibly affecting future car insurance policies, the £14 classes have been hailed as a way to save money.

"The fee is instead of the fine, so in effect you are paying just £14 to avoid three points. Most people tell me it is the best £14 they have ever spent," said David Richard, of DriveTech UK, which is offering the workshops.

On February 27th, the Department for Transport introduced new sanctions - a £60 fine and a three point licence penalty - against drivers caught using a handheld mobile.

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