We must not let motorists on mobiles off the hook

Nobody in their right mind would want to be caught drink-driving.

It’s reckless, selfish and shows a complete disregard for the safety of other people.

It comes with huge penalties, potential loss of livelihood, a serious criminal record and a degree of personal shame.

Given all of that, it’s difficult to now imagine anyone arguing that drink-driving is actually OK.

Or to imagine a government reducing the criminal penalties around it.

The stigma around the offence didn’t always exist.

In past decades, it was broadly socially acceptable and those who campaigned to tighten up legislation and increase penalties were cast as meddlers.

A similar journey must now take place on the issue of texting and using mobile phones while driving.

An investigation in the Sunday Mail today demonstrates that drivers just aren’t getting the dangers of this practice.

This isn’t just a quick text at the traffic lights. Our pictures show drivers texting and talking on Scotland’s busiest stretch of motorway.

That’s despite the horrific fatal accident last year when a mum and three children were killed on the A34 by a lorry driver who had been texting at the wheel.

On its own, it should have been enough to change national attitudes on the issue.

The sight of drivers travelling at speed while texting or holding a smartphone to their ear is appalling and concerning. They are putting not just themselves at risk but their passengers and other road users.

Or, as police officers’ representative Calum Steele puts it, “dicing with death”.

Current sentencing is clearly not acting as a deterrent and needs to be updated.

The suggestion that convictions are dropping because of a lack of police officers is also enormously concerning.

But the motoring public also have their part to play in changing the culture of drivers.

Most people wouldn’t get in a car with someone they suspect of having had too much to drink.

They should adopt the same attitude when drivers opt to lift a handset while on the move.

Drivers themselves also need to learn the harsh lessons of the A34 tragedy more quickly.

There’s no text or call that can’t wait until you’ve come to a halt.

Particularly at 70mph.