Highway Code update means you could be fined £200 for using your phone even if you're not driving

Drivers all know - or at least all drivers should know - that you're not allowed to use your phone whilst you are driving as stated in the Highway Code. Now, a lesser known update means that you could be fined £200 for using your phone even if you're not the one who is driving.

The Code was updated on March 25, 2022, to clarify Rule 149. The rule has not changed to punish passengers who are on their phones but clarified the ban on people who are supervising learner drivers using their phones.

The change is stated on Gov.uk as: "Updated rule 149 to clarify that the ban on using hand-held interactive communication devices when driving or supervising a learner driver covers all uses."

READ MORE: New UK driving law changes from August 2023 including £70 fine for parking ban

Anyone supervising a learner driver is not allowed to use any hand-held devices when the car is moving

The full part of Rule 149 that covers this law says: "You MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, capable of interactive communication (such as a tablet) for any purpose when driving or when supervising a learner driver. This ban covers all use of a hand-held interactive communication device and it applies even when the interactive communication capability is turned off or unavailable."

This means that it is illegal for someone who is a driving instructor, or anyone as such, from using their phone at all when in the car supervising a learner driver. So no texts or calls can be made, no photos or videos taken, no apps used and no browsing the internet.

The only exceptions to the rule are the same as for the person who is driving, you can only use your phone in an emergency to call 999 or 112 and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop, you’re parked safely, you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving or using your phone to park your vehicle remotely.

If you as the supervisor are found guilty of this rule you could be fined £200 and get six penalty points.

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New UK driving law changes from August 2023 including £70 fine for parking ban

It has just turned to August and with that comes not only the last month of summer but also a host of new changes to the driving laws in the UK. The changes that are happening include costs on heavy goods, a ban on pavement parking and the expansion of ULEZ in London.

Drivers need to be aware of these changes that are coming into force as breaking these laws could land drivers with a hefty fine if they aren't aware. Below is a round-up of the changes and how they will affect all motorists, not just in London but in the whole country.

ULEZ expansion

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanding across all London boroughs from August 29, 2023. After this date, if you drive anywhere in the ULEZ and your vehicle does not meet the emissions standards, you could face a daily charge of £12.50. Residents living inside the zone will still have to pay, although you don't have to pay the fee for a parked car - only if you actually drive it.

If you don't pay the £12.50 fee, you could face a hefty fine. ULEZ and Congestion Charge penalty charges have increased from £160 to £180. The fine will be reduced by 50 per cent if you pay it within 14 days. There are some discounts and exemptions, and an extended 'grace period' to help disabled Londoners and community transport providers prepare for the expansion - find out more here.

READ MORE: Rare £765k Aston Martin parked outside Harrods on double yellow lines gets towed as smiling crowd watch on

Changes are on heavy goods costs, pavement parking bans and low emission zones (Image: PA)

Pavement Parking Ban

A self-explanatory change as cars will now be banned from parking on the pavement nationwide. The ban has been in talks since 2019, but it is expected to come into force this summer.

If this law is enforced drivers could face a £70 fixed penalty notice for parking on a pavement.

HGV levy payment

Heavy goods vehicles weighing over 12 tonnes already pay a levy cost for the wear and tear on the roads. However, this payment has been suspended since the pandemic as a way for the government to help haulage companies reduce costs and tackle driver shortages.

This August, the HGV levy suspension will end in the UK and freight companies will have to go back to paying the levy costs.

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Londoner who was homeless at 17 and 'thought it was the end' is now competing for Miss Great Britain

In the running for Miss Great Britain, Alicia Shah says she became homeless and went into a hostel at 17 because she didn’t know how to express herself in a healthy way. She said: “At 17, I thought it was the end.”

The 30-year-old, from Richmond, who was a runner-up for Miss London and is now Miss Hertfordshire said her homelessness and her mental health were linked.

Now a carer for her Mum, Alicia has always played the role of carer in her family as she grew up with a disabled brother and a single Mum. Alicia said the divorce of her parents in her early childhood years caused her to “lose her sense of self.”

READ MORE: London photographer raped aspiring model after plying her with alcohol and leading her back to his studio where she blacked out

Speaking to MyLondon, Alicia said: “At 17, I wasn’t coping with the responsibility of having a single Mum and having 2 other siblings who I had to help raise. I craved independence but I came from a complicated background. I didn’t have a safety net.”

This drive for independence led Alicia to a homeless shelter for teenagers. She said: “There was a huge calibre of people there from those with anklets and pregnant to those the police had brought in to stay there.”

Alicia Shah, 30, runner-up of Miss London (Image: Petros Spyrou)

She added: “I felt bad and let it spiral but I realised nobody is going to come and rescue me but myself; nobody is going to take me out of this. I’m not a victim, I found healing in painting and art therapy.”

Soon after, Alicia says she found pageantry. Whilst speaking to MyLondon, Alicia says she’s aware of how people can perceive pageantry as superficial but for her, it became a platform to share her experiences and the solace she’d found in art therapy.

She said: “I thought, here is a platform, and here I can make my voice heard and help others find their voices.” Before adding: “I thought it was the end at 17. Pageantry has been a way for me to tell people they are not alone.”

Alicia has run art therapy workshops for the past 10 years. She promoted her business through word of mouth and flyers she made when she started out. Alicia said during a workshop she asks people to draw a memory, then ask about the colour that have been used and the emotions they could represent. The art becomes a way for many to articulate themselves much like she was able to during her late-teen years.

Alicia shared a story about a non-verbal autistic boy she’d helped years ago who attended her workshop. She said: “I didn’t talk down to him, I just gave him a paintbrush and canvas. I spoke to him like a normal person, like he could understand. I told him what to do and asked questions and then let him get on with it.

“I kid you not at that moment he discovered his talent, his shading, and shaping were amazing. He ended up crying in the workshop. I gave him a way to express himself, I gave someone non-verbal a voice.”

Alicia said art therapy and discovering art helped her verbalise her feelings and pageantry has been a way to share the ease she’s found and now she wants to share that with others so they don’t feel alone.

Do you have a story that you think we should be covering? If so, please email mariam.khan@reachplc.com

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The West London bakery selling 'London's best baguettes' that's vowed never to open another branch

A French bakery in West London's Notting Hill has won the capital's ‘best baguette’ award.

Maison Puget, on Portobello Road, took part last month in a competition to determine the best baguette and speciality bread made in London. The contest, organised by French Morning London, saw several local bakeries present their products to the public and a qualified jury.

And the French establishment won both categories. Amandine Puget, 38, said: “It was very emotional, but we never doubted our work and the quality of our products.

READ MORE: The 9 London restaurants shortlisted for Best Restaurant of the Year at the Uber Eats Awards 2023

The bakery has become immensely popular - and it's easy to see why

“It’s a great reward for our hard work.”

Amandine and her husband Jean-Christophe, 39, also won it the last time the contest was held, back in 2019.

The mum of two added: “We felt the pressure even more this year, especially as our reputation has grown since then.

“But when customers were voting for us to get to the final, they’d tell us ‘why are they even doing a competition, we know you make the best baguette’.

“And after we won, we had quite a few customers coming in not to buy anything but to congratulate us on our victory. It’s really heartwarming to get this type of feedback, to know that our customers are satisfied.”

Their produce is as close to perfect as it's possible to be

Before they moved to London, Amandine and Jean-Christophe used to own three bakeries in their small village in the east of France, but the pair left everything behind in 2017 to start a new chapter in the UK with their children.

And a few months later, they opened Maison Puget, their one and only shop in the UK. All of their products are homemade, with local ingredients and a high-quality flour from France.

Amandine said: “We always try to do better, to improve the quality of our products. We know that past success is no guarantee for future performance.”

To keep their quality promise, the two owners have decided not to open another bakery in London, or in the UK.

Maison Puget will remain a Notting Hill exclusivity, where they’re now part of the community.

Their ambition however knows no bounds, as they are now waiting to find out whether they will be awarded the prize for the ‘best croissant in the UK’, for which they are finalists.

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Live Tottenham stabbing updates as huge crime scene in place after horror 2am attack

A man has been rushed to hospital this morning (July 28) after being stabbed in a 2am attack on the streets of North London, with his attacker still at large today.

Police say they were called to the scene on White Hart Lane in Tottenham at 2.01am this morning after reports of a knife attack.

They found the victim, at the scene where he was treated by paramedics from London Ambulance Service and rushed to hospital.

A huge crime scene is now in place across three different streets including William Street, White Hart Lane and Tottenham High Road, with a number of traffic and bus diversions as a result.

Police say at this stage a suspect has not been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

Did you see what happened? Get in touch at dan.wiggins@reachplc.com

For more live updates on this breaking news story follow our blog below

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Musical rapture

Musical rapture

ON Saturday, July 15, I had the privilege of attending Yuvan Shankar Raja’s concert at the Axiata Arena. Following his highly acclaimed previous concert, Yuvan returned to enthral his fans once again.

The event began with a sensational lineup of Malaysian singers who captivated the audience with their remarkable performances. However it was the DJ duo of Jay and Ruckes who truly stole the show, igniting the crowd’s excitement and setting the stage for the main act.

Thrilling atmosphere

As Yuvan made his grand entrance, the energy was electrifying. The stage design, lighting, and music production were meticulously executed, creating an extravagant and fascinating spectacle. The audience was immediately captivated, eagerly anticipating the performance that lay ahead.

A musical journey

Yuvan showered the crowd with his biggest hits, and every song became a collective experience as the audience enthusiastically sang along. The sheer energy and passion emanating from the stage were infectious, and the bond between the performer and the fans was undeniable.

Star-studded surprises

Adding to the excitement, Yuvan brought along some popular guests to join him on stage. Actors Pradeep and Simbhu, two beloved figures in the entertainment industry, graced the event with their presence. The crowd erupted with excitement and couldn’t contain their joy.

Pradeep showcased his talent by performing songs from his film Love Today, while Simbhu delivered an unforgettable performance with songs from his highly acclaimed film Manmadhan. The anticipation for Simbhu’s appearance was palpable, and when he finally took the stage, the crowd erupted into 10 minutes of non-stop cheering.

Interaction and special moments

Yuvan demonstrated his genuine appreciation for his fans by engaging with them throughout the concert. He interacted with the crowd, shared anecdotes, and even distributed free merchandise to lucky fans. One particularly memorable moment was when a fan was invited on stage to sing a duet with Yuvan, showcasing the deep connection he shares with his admirers. Additionally, Yuvan led the entire audience in singing a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday” to a lucky fan, creating a sense of unity and celebration.

Humour and camaraderie

Another highlight of the concert was the delightful camaraderie between Yuvan and the talented actor Premgi. Their comedic chemistry on stage added an extra layer of entertainment, bringing laughter and joy to the audience. The seamless blend of music and humour created an enchanting and unforgettable experience.

Dazzling dance performances

The concert’s small stage did not hinder the mesmerising performances of the talented group of dancers. Despite the limited space, their skills and choreography were truly awe-inspiring. Each dancer had their moment to shine, showcasing their exceptional talent and adding an extra layer of visual spectacle to the concert. Their synchronised movements and dynamic routines perfectly complemented Yuvan’s music, enhancing the overall experience for the audience.The dedication and precision displayed by the dancers were truly commendable, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

Their contributions added an additional element of excitement and artistry to an already unforgettable evening. This remarkable night was made possible by the organisers, Don’t Run Away Asia. Despite it being their first time organising a concert, they excelled at delivering an exceptional experience. Their efforts and expertise were evident, ensuring a successful and memorable event. Attending Yuvan Shankar Raja’s concert was a truly enjoyable and unforgettable experience. The energy and enthusiasm displayed by the fans throughout the event were unparalleled. It was a night filled with music, laughter, and pure entertainment, leaving me with a newfound appreciation for Yuvan’s artistry and a dream fulfilled by witnessing Simbhu’s live performance.

This concert will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I’m certain that every fan in attendance had an incredible time, as the energy and excitement never wavered even for a moment. For more captured moments from the concert, check out instagram.com/ dontrunawayasia.my/

Read more:

https://www.thesundaily.my/style-life/musical-rapture-IF11274936