Police launch crackdown on motorists who use phones whilst driving

Keep your eyes on the road and don’t be distracted by your mobile phone.

That’s the message coming from North Wales police as they launch a two week blitz on mototrists who use mobile phones while driving today, Monday November 7.

The four police forces in Wales, led by Gwent Police are launching the major crackdown from Monday 7^th November until Sunday 20^th November.

During the campaign, officers will be speaking to drivers about the dangers of using mobile phones when driving and also about the dangers of being distracted behind the wheel. Officers will be stopping motorists seen using their mobile phones whilst driving and any offenders can expect a £100 fine and three points on their licence.

[miptheme_quote author=”North Wales Police” style=”boxquote text-left”]In a similar crackdown last winter North Wales Police caught and dealt with 59 road users in the space of two weeks who were driving whilst using their mobile phones. A total of 571 motorists caught across Wales using their mobile phones whilst behind the wheel in the two week campaign. [/miptheme_quote]

Nationally, the numbers of motorists using mobile phones to make calls, texts or social media updates whilst driving has risen and distracted driving is expected to be the biggest single cause of death and injuries on roads as a result in 2016. In Wales more than 500 motorists were caught using their mobile phones whilst behind the wheel during the 2015 campaign.

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing from North Wales Police’ Roads Policing Unit said:

“Even experienced and competent drivers can be easily distracted and a slight lapse in concentration can have serious consequences. Smart phones are a key part of modern life and we are also seeing drivers being distracted whilst checking social media, reading their emails or accessing the internet. Drivers need to be aware that these actions carry the same danger and the same penalty.

“Our main message is clear; keep your eyes on the road. A lapse in concentration when driving can be devastating and this is why officers from all four Welsh forces will be carrying out proactive patrols to target motorists who endanger road users in this way.”

“We recently launched our #OpSnap campaign, an initiative which allows video submissions and photographic evidence to be sent to us from people who have witnessed driving offences.

Over recent months we have received footage capturing motoring offences including careless and dangerous driving, people on mobile telephones and people being distracted whilst using their smart devices behind the wheel.

“We recognises that the vast majority of the public want to use the road network to get from A to B safely; and that they don’t wish to tolerate unnecessary risks that some are exposed to by the actions of others.”

Chair of Road Safety Wales Susan Storch said:

“Driving a vehicle requires us to multi-task so anything above and beyond that needs to wait until we are safely parked up or until our journey has finished.”

“Campaigns such as this demonstrate the resolve of all the Road Safety Wales partners in tackling this issue and we will continue to work together to drive home the message of not using your mobile phone behind the wheel. No call or text is that important.”

North Wales Police will be updating social media with advice and guidance throughout the campaign and campaign material can be found using the hashtag #eyesontheroad