Crackdown snares 75 using phones at wheel
CHESHIRE police have been cracking down on drivers using their phones at the wheel, catching more than 75 drivers in the act.
Officers were out in force as part of an awareness week, aimed at keeping the roads safe, across the town.
Police stopped drivers who were spotted scrolling through social media, texting or taking a call while at the wheel.
Those who were caught faced on the spot fines of £200 and six penalty points on their licence. This could result in the driver losing their license and even their job.
Inspector Steve Grif- fiths, from Cheshire Roads Policing Team, said: “I’ve dealt with many serious and fatal collisions throughout my career but more and more incidents involve the use of mobile phones at the wheel.
“This isn’t just about issuing tickets. Those who have been fined might just have been checking for a message or taking a quick call but that distraction could be enough for you to kill someone. It isn’t worth having that on your conscience and facing a prison sentence.”
National figures show that drivers who use mobile phones at the wheel are four times more likely to be involved in a collision. In 2017 officers handed out 1,822 tickets to motorists who were stopped for using their phone whilst driving.
Inspector Griffiths added: “This operation is not just about issuing tickets, it’s also about educating motorists about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving to help prevent tragedies occurring.
“My advice is simply, if you’re driving a car, concentrate on the road and not your mobile phone. It could be the difference between life and death.”
Police and Crime Com- missioner for Cheshire David Keane added: “Road safety is one of my priorities and it is pleasing to see the work that the Constabulary is undertaking to help make Cheshire roads safer.
“I have great admiration for the work undertaken by our family liaison offic- ers, who have the heartbreaking role of informing families that their loved ones have died.
“However, much of their work could be entirely avoidable if motorists paid more attention to the road, rather than their mobile phones.”