‘Stop the loss of innocent lives on our roads’ – that is the plea from Police as they launch a crackdown on motorists using mobile phones whilst driving.
Roads Policing Officers from the Joint Operations Unit across Hampshire, Thames Valley and the Isle of Wight will be carrying out dedicated operations, stopping drivers caught using their phones, issuing penalties and educating motorists about the dangers of distraction as part of the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) national campaign.
During the last operation in March a total of 186 drivers were stopped in Hampshire during the week-long initiative, while a further 9 were reported for not being in proper control of their vehicle.
Hampshire Constabulary haven’t released details on how many motorists were stopped and reported on the Isle of Wight, but with the loss of the Island’s dedicated Roads Policing Unit those figures aren’t expected to be comparable with previous years.
Road Safety Sergeant Rob Heard said:
“One driver caught using their phone is one too many and sadly we are still seeing too many people taking that risk, whether looking at a text, making and receiving calls or even surfing the internet.
“Doing any of these will clearly impair and distract your ability to drive a vehicle safely. Research has shown that talking on a mobile phone can impair your ability to drive more than if you were driving whilst over the drink drive limit.
“I am urging all motorists to not take that risk, as a moments inattention can be the difference between life and death.
Article continues below this advertisement “We have all seen the devastation caused by those who take the risks. Please think twice before answering a call, looking at a text or browsing your phone.
“Innocent lives should not be lost because a driver uses their mobile phone behind the wheel.”
Drivers caught will be issued with a fixed penalty notice, which now sees motorists fined £200 and given 6 penalty points on their licence. A case could also go to court and the driver could be disqualified from driving or riding and get a maximum fine of £1,000. Drivers of buses or goods vehicles could get a maximum fine of £2,500.
