Campaign to catch motorists on their mobiles

A road safety partnership has been supporting a campaign to change driver behaviours and highlight the consequences of using a phone whilst driving.

Many drivers are concerned about illegal mobile use by other drivers making it the top driver concern in the RAC Report on Motoring for four of the last five years. While most people do not use their phone whilst driving, there is a minority who do.

Jonathan Clarkson, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership spokesman, said “We are seeing more drivers looking down to use a phone to use social media apps, select music, check emails or texting while driving.

“Driving while distracted impairs you to a similar degree to that of a drinkdriver, you are much less aware of what’s happening on the road around you, you may fail to see road signs, fail to maintain proper lane position and steady speed, are more likely to tailgate the vehicle in front, react more slowly and are four times more likely to have a collision.”

Using a phone while driving attracts six points and a £200 fine and if you are using a phone legally, if you are driving whilst not being in proper control of your vehicle you could face three points and £100 fine.

Being stopped by Leicestershire Police isn’t the only way you can get caught. The National Police Chiefs Council campaign is highlighting the public can submit any dashcam or GoPro footage captured as evidence to prosecute someone using a phone driving: www.leics.police.uk/ ro/report/rti/rti-b/report-aroad