TWENTY-three-year-old Trinity Taylor was killed instantly when a 7.5-tonne lorry crashed into the back of her Peugeot 206 on the M3. John Payne, the lorry's driver, had seen her car too late and ploughed into the back of it at nearly 50mph.

Why? Because he was using his mobile phone.

Payne was eventually jailed for four years for his crime but from today, motorists face three points on their licence and a doubling of the fixed penalty fine to £60 for simply using a phone while on the move.

This means thousands of drivers face getting points which - when combined with other phone or speed camera offences - could see them banned under the totting up' system if they hit 12 points.

Drivers who go to court face a maximum fine of £1,000 - or up to £2,500 for drivers of buses, coaches and goods vehicles.

Will these new penalties stop people using their phones?

It would seem unlikely, given the fact that so many drivers still exceed the speed limit, despite the fact they would face similar penalties if caught.

There is an argument, then, that even harsher penalties are required before those few drivers that persist in using their mobiles while on the move finally get the message that it is dangerous and unnecessary.

How many more deaths will it take before these people get the message?

If your phone rings while you are driving, don't answer it. If you need to make a call, find somewhere safe and park. It's that simple.