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As part of the government crackdown on road safety, drivers in the UK will be banned from scrolling through playlists on handheld devices.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced it is planning to strengthen laws from next year to make it easier to prosecute drivers using and holding their phones behind the wheel.

Under current laws, drivers are banned from texting or making phone calls (other than in an emergency) while using a handheld device. However, rules will be tighter in 2022 as drivers will not be allowed to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games on their phones when driving.

Anyone caught using their handheld device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.

Drivers can still use devices such as satnavs and phones with satellite navigation capabilities as long as they are secure in a cradle.

Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said; "By making it easier to prosecute people illegally using their phone at the wheel, we are ensuring the law is brought into the 21st century while further protecting all road users.

"While our roads remain among the safest in the world. We will continue working tirelessly to make them safer, including through our award-winning THINK! campaign, which challenges social norms among high-risk drivers."

The crackdown comes after a public consultation that found 81% of respondents supported proposals to strengthen the law.