DRIVERS in South Essex have been warned by police that they could be penalised for using phone satnavs.

New penalties were introduced in April for drivers using their phone while on the road.

Now drivers have been warned that using their phones as a satnav could fall fould of an extension of those laws.

The use of navigational apps will not be made illegal, but touching the handset could result in motorists being prosecuted.

A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “If an officer determines that a driver using their satnav hindered their ability to control the car, the driver could face prosecution.”

A spokesman for motoring organisation the RAC said: “While a quick interaction with an inbuilt or independent satnav (in other words, not on a mobile phone) should be acceptable, if a police officer deems you are not in proper control of a vehicle you may still be liable for prosecution.”

The maximum penalty for using a mobile phone whilst driving has doubled.

Driving offenders will face a £200 fine and six points on their driving licence, or even disqualification.

Upon introducing new penalties in April, the Government emphasised that the stricter laws were brought in in order to make drivers “think twice” about their behaviour on the road and that offenders would be punished for breaking the law.