A NEW crackdown to reduce the rise of motorists illegally using their mobile phones while driving is now underway in Worcestershire.
Officers will be out on the roads in Malvern and across the county over the coming weeks carrying out an enforcement programme and to help reduce the number of times motorists use their phones at the wheel.
As well as enforcement, police will also be explaining some of the implications of doing so, whether that is a criminal conviction or causing the death of another road user because they were not paying attention to the road.
The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving has steadily increased over the years is a £100 fine and three penalty points on the offender’s licence.
But the Government has recently proposed that this should increase to six penalty points and a £200 fine – ensuring drivers face much tougher penalties. The changes are expected to take effect in the first half of 2017.
A recent report on motoring, by the RAC, suggests the number of motorists who illegally use mobile phones while at the wheel is rising.
More than 1,700 motorists were surveyed and 31 per cent of motorists said they used a handheld phone behind the wheel compared with 8 per cent in 2014.
The number of drivers who said they had sent a message or posted on social media rose from 7 per cent to 19 per cent, while 14 per cent said they had taken a photograph or video while driving.
Superintendent Daryn Elton for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police said: “Although mobile phone enforcement is already part of our daily operational activity, we will be stepping up our efforts over the coming weeks to crack down on motorists who are blatantly ignoring both the law and the dangers involved.
“Many motorists are already aware that using a mobile phone while driving is illegal. This includes using your phone to follow a map, read a text or check social media, and applies even if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queueing in traffic. With smartphones becoming more and more embedded into our daily routines, we are all aware of how useful they can be.
“However, it is unacceptable to allow yourself to be distracted by them while driving, and officers will ensure any motorists doing so face the penalties involved.”
The operation, taking place throughout November, will also see police join forces with paramedics during certain shifts, patrolling the county in unmarked vehicles, looking for any motorists using their mobile phone while driving.
If a driver has no previous mobile phone convictions, they will be offered an educational alternative to the penalty points and fine, and will be shown a presentation at the roadside and given advice from the police officer and paramedic about the consequences of their actions at the wheel.
West Midlands Ambulance Service Warwick Area Manager Martyn Scott added: “Tragically, lives have been lost through this sort of action while other people have been left with injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives.”
