Almost 200 motorists were caught using their mobile phone behind the wheel during a week-long crackdown by Police across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at the end of last month – but it is unknown how many were caught on the Isle of Wight.
A total of 190 drivers were stopped by Roads Policing Officers from the Joint Operations Unit as part of a nationwide initiative to make our roads safer. This is a disappointing 36% increase compared to this time last year when 141 motorists were caught using their phones while driving.
Hampshire Constabulary have not provided a breakdown to show how many of those motorists were stopped locally here on the Isle of Wight. Last year 10 motorists were caught on the Isle of Wight.
One driver in Aldershot was even stopped while on his way to a mobile phone referral course having been stopped already once before.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Road Safety Sergeant Rob Heard said:
“These results are disappointing as it shows too many people still do not understand the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving.
“The majority of people know they should not be using their phone whilst driving, but appear not to understand what a huge distraction it is.
“This just shows the reason why we need to run such campaigns and remind people of the dangers and prosecute those who feel it is still acceptable to take that risk.
Article continues below this advertisement “My advice is to turn your phone off whilst driving, put it out of reach and view, this way you will not be tempted to look at it and become distracted. It’s not worth the risk.
“Distraction can be a major contribution in collisions and by using your phone you are four times more likely to be involved in a collision as your reaction times can be around 50 per cent slower.”
Of those stopped 83% were male, 81% were over the age of 25, 70% were car drivers and 25% were van drivers.
A total of 84% – or 160 – were offered a referral course.
