Overview
- The RAC publicly urged drivers on 22–23 June to avoid touching or interacting with smartwatches while driving, saying current rules are unclear and could leave motorists unintentionally committing offences.
- A RAC‑commissioned survey of 1,709 drivers found 40% own a smartwatch and ownership rises to 73% among 17–34 year‑olds, with 22% admitting to touching their watch and 21% using voice commands on the road.
- The Department for Transport said drivers must remain in proper control of their vehicles and can be prosecuted for distracted or careless driving, and it is considering responses to a consultation on motoring offences.
- UK law already bans holding and using a hand‑held phone while driving, commonly punished by six penalty points and a £200 fine, but it does not explicitly define whether looking at or tapping a smartwatch counts as 'use'.
- Campaigners warn unclear rules may make enforcement inconsistent, and they want lawmakers to define what counts as smartwatch 'use' so police, courts and drivers know when behaviour could lead to fines, points or careless‑driving charges.