Crackdown on mobile phone driving launched in Wales
Police in Wales today launched a campaign to deter motorists from using their mobile phone behind the wheel.
Over the next two weeks, four Welsh police forces will actively target mobile phone drivers as part of the All-Wales Anti-Mobile Phone Driving Campaign.
Since 2007, motorists discovered using their mobile have been hit with a £60 fine and three penalty points on their license, however the rule has gone ignored by the 1,352 who have been prosecuted so far this year.
Besides the legal implications, the campaign will stress the reality of resulting accidents and how lives and families are affected.
Ian Arundale of Dyfed-Powys Police – the force leading the campaign – believes driving and mobile phones should never mix.
“Using a mobile phone while driving makes you four times more likely to have an accident and a phone call isn’t worth the risk,” he stated.
“When you’re using a handheld device at the wheel, you’re distracted and your reactions will be affected. It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration before you could become the cause of a serious collision or be involved in a fatal road traffic collision.”
Unacceptable behaviour
More than 2,100 tickets were issued to mobile phone drivers across Wales last year and the Chief Constable wants the offence to be viewed in the same light as drink driving.
“Our message to these people is that it’s not safe at all,” added Arundale. “You run the risk of killing yourself, your passengers, and other innocent road users.
“There will be a zero tolerance towards drivers using handheld devices while driving and all the police forces in Wales will be increasing their targeting of this illegal and unacceptable behaviour during the campaign.”
The All-Wales Anti-Mobile Phone Driving Campaign, which runs until 5 October, is being supported by Road Safety Wales and Pembrokeshire Local Authority whose Deputy Leader Jamie Adams added: “Taking your eyes off the road – even for a split second – can have devastating consequences.”
See also:
No comments yet
