Flashing signs to catch out drivers on mobile phones
MOTORISTS who use their mobile phones while driving are to be deterred by flashing signs at the roadside.
The £6,000 electronic signs, which can detect signals transmitted by a mobile being used in a car, were introduced on Norwich’s roads yesterday.
The signs flash a symbol of a mobile phone with a line through it to remind drivers not to touch handsets.
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Although the signs cannot tell whether a driver or passenger is using the mobile, it is hoped they will alert people to the dangers of using a phone while driving.
Norfolk County Council’s road safety team has developed the scheme in partnership with local technology firm Westcotec.
The technology cannot record a car’s registration or issue fines but the data it collects will be shared with Norfolk police.
Chris Spinks, of Westcotec, said the technology could show police where illegal use was worst.
He said: “The aim of the technology is to remind drivers of the law and to get them off their phones.”
Drivers caught on their phones face a £200 fine and six points on their licence, following introduction of tougher laws last year.
Norfolk police have been cracking down on phone use at the wheel, with more than 120 people caught during Operation Ringtone, which ran in the county in January.
Jonathan Chapman, inspector of the Norfolk Roads Policing Unit, said: “We will use the information to help us to target drivers in the future.
“The message is simple – leave your phone alone while you’re behind the wheel.
“Using a phone at the wheel can have devastating consequences if it causes a fatal or serious collision.”
Margaret Dewsbury, chairman of Norfolk County Council’s communities committee, said: “Using a mobile phone while driving enormous distraction.
“Apart from being illegal it puts the lives of the driver, passengers and pedestrians at risk.
“We are delighted to be partnering Westcotec in trials of this new technology across Norfolk.”
Iain Temperton, team manager for road safety at the council, said the cutting-edge technology would be used as an “educational tool” throughout Norfolk.
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Westcotec’s Chris Spinks added: “Being a local company, we are delighted to be able to take part in trials of this technology in Norfolk.
“We are glad to assist Norfolk County Council in promoting awareness about the dangers of mobile phone use in the car.”
He added that Westcotec is working with authorities across the world – including in Argentina, Slovenia and New Zealand – to implement the mobile warning technology. Tough call... drivers caught using their mobile could get a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence