Use your mobile and pay the price
HALTON motorists have been warned that the punishment for being caught using their mobile phone doubles this week.
From March 1, drivers found using a handheld device will now have to pay £200 with six penalty points.
In addition, offending motorists will no longer be offered the chance to complete the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) training course as an alternative to receiving points on their licence.
A Cheshire police spokesman said the change could have major ramifications for young drivers, and people who have held their licence for less than two years, as they now face the prospect of having their licence revoked on their first offence.
The force has issued 2,463 tickets this financial year to motorists caught driving using a mobile phone up from 2,062 tickets in 2015-16.
As with the previous legislation drivers will still have the option to attend court to contest the offence.
However, if the court rules against the defendant the penalty could be greater.
Assistant Chief Constable Dar- ● ren Martland said: “Driving while using a mobile phone is unacceptable, as they can distract drivers, which can put the lives of motorists and pedestrians at risk.
“Our roads policing team deal serious and fatal collisions on a daily basis, which can be harrowing and traumatic, but families are left to deal with the consequences for many years.”
Cheshire Police And Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “Cheshire residents told me that road safety is a major priority for them and as a result it features strongly within my police and crime plan.
“Driving whilst using a mobile phone is dangerous and in my opinion there is simply no excuse.
“I’m sure the majority a people would agree that it’s not worth putting lives at risk simply to take a phone call.
“I hope the new legislation acts as a strong deterrent to motorists who continue to decide to ignore the law.”
Assistant Chief Constable Martland added: “We’re here to make our roads safer, and we will use all of the tools and powers available to us to help us achieve our goal.
“The message is clear, driving whilst using a mobile phone is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in Cheshire and anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with robustly.”