Police introduce detectors to spot drivers on the phone

Police are cracking down on drivers who illegally use their mobile phones with a new device that detects the dangerous behaviour.

The device can determine if people are using mobile phones without hands-free kits while driving.

Hampshire and Thames Valley police forces are the first to use the new technology.

When a driver is detected using a phone illegally by the technology, the device flashes the driver with a mobile phone signal as a warning.

The technology will also allow police to identify hotspots where drivers repeatedly use their phones.

The device picks up 2G, 3G and 4G signal, and will flash to alert people in cars who are using phones to call, text or use data.

It can also recognise when a hands-free Bluetooth device is being used instead, and will not flash the driver.

However, it cannot tell whether the driver or a passenger is using the phone, so if a phone is being used anywhere in the car and is not attached to a Bluetooth device it will flash regardless.

A spokesman for the two forces said: “The technology can detect when Bluetooth is being used but cannot detect if a passenger is using the phone, but the sign will still be activated reminding motorists of the distraction of a mobile phone whilst driving.”

There initially will be two detectors – costing £6,000 each – placed on the A34 in Oxfordshire. They will then be moved between different locations throughout the Thames Valley and Hampshire. There is a chance more could be rolled out in the future.

The current penalty for being caught using a mobile phone while driving is a £200 fine and six points on your licence.