UK drivers are being warned that glancing at a smartwatch while driving could land them with a hefty fine.

Current laws about ‘screen’ use and distractions while driving can result in fines up to £1,000 and six penalty points.

Concerns are growing over the risks associated with the popularity of new screen-based distractions while driving.

Smart design

Specialist insurance broker ChoiceQuote, part of Gallagher, has issued the warning amid the rising popularity of wearable technology.

Globally, 156.5 million smartwatches were shipped in 2024, with the number expected to rise to over 175 million by 2028.

But while these devices offer convenience, they can also pose a serious safety hazard on the road.

According to Rule 149 of the Highway Code, drivers are prohibited from using hand-held devices—including smartwatches—while operating a vehicle.

This includes seemingly minor actions like checking a notification, skipping a song, or lighting up the screen.

Doing so could be interpreted as driving without due care and attention, a charge that carries serious legal consequences.

Police aware

Phil Leese, Taxi and Specialist Motor Trading Manager at ChoiceQuote, says: “If you are caught peeking at your smartwatch while driving, it could land you with a fine of up to £1,000 and up to six penalty points on your licence. In more serious cases, where distraction leads to an accident, you could be charged with dangerous driving, which carries penalties including an unlimited fine, driving ban, or even a prison sentence.”

While specific laws targeting smartwatches remain limited, their use falls under the broader legal framework concerning mobile devices and driver distraction.

According to the UK Department for Transport, driver inattention contributed to over 15,000 road crashes in 2022 alone, with mobile phone usage identified as a rising concern.

Further research from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows that nearly a quarter of UK drivers (24%) admit to checking notifications while driving.

While mobile phones are the main focus of public safety campaigns, experts warn that smartwatches pose similar risks—if not more—due to their accessibility and subtlety.

Time for change

Road safety campaigners have long argued that even brief glances at digital screens can impair a driver’s reaction time.

For younger drivers, or th,ose learning, the risks are evn higher because of their greater use of digital technology.

Soicuialm media results in an almost continuous stream of messages, phones pinging and screens glowing.

Smartwatches mean drivers are even less likely to get away from digital distractions without removing the watch entirely while driving.

As technology becomes ever more popular, it is important that drivers are educated about the road safety risks and the potential legal consequences.

Eyes on the road

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) estimates that drivers who look away for just two seconds while driving at 30mph can travel 27 metres blind to road conditions—enough to miss a hazard or cause a collision.

To reduce the risks, experts recommend a few simple steps:

  1. Remove your smartwatch before starting the engine to avoid temptation.

  2. Turn off notifications or vibrations to prevent distractions mid-journey.

  3. Enable “Do Not Disturb” or “Driving Mode” settings that silence alerts until your trip is over.

As the UK continues to clamp down on distracted driving, police forces are increasingly using dashcam evidence and roadside surveillance to spot drivers engaging with devices.

Motorists are advised to treat smartwatches with the same caution as mobile phones to avoid legal trouble—and keep everyone on the road safe.

For more information on driving laws and penalties, visit gov.uk.