IN the first 72 hours of the start of a week-long national crackdown on people using mobile phones while driving, West Mercia Police have stopped 48 motorists – and officers say these numbers are likely to increase by the end of the operation on Sunday evening.
Each motorist stopped received six points on their licence and a £200 fine. They will have been reminded by the officers why they were stopped and why using their phone is so dangerous, and illegal.
West Mercia Police Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, said: “Driving while distracted by a mobile phone is completely unacceptable and puts everyone on the roads at risk of serious harm.
“We are making use of the tougher penalties to clamp down on this dangerous behaviour – but we have to be clear that when you get behind the wheel it is your responsibility to stay focused and alert.
“It’s concerning that we still have drivers out there who are willing to risk driving whilst distracted and it is a year round commitment for us to challenge this behaviour across West Mercia.”
It’s nearly a year since new legislation was introduced, increasing both the fine and licence points if caught using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel. Drivers caught twice face a lengthy ban – which could also then lead to a £1,000 fine.
New drivers – those who have passed within the last two years – could have their licence revoked if caught just once. Since March 2017, 1,268 drivers in West Mercia have been caught using their mobile phone whilst at the wheel.
