Motorists warned on mobiles
More than 1,000 motorists have been fined for using a mobile phone while driving in Staffordshire over the last six months since tough new laws kicked in.
Drivers caught flouting the ban on using a hand-held mobile at the wheel received a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence.
Police in Staffordshire have handed out 1,027 fixed penalty notices to drivers since a change in the law in February which doubled the fine and introduced penalty points for the offence.
Les Dyble, of Staffordshire Police's traffic management unit, said that, of the 1,027 drivers, 182 had been referred to be dealt with by magistrates.
Any cases that reach court can result in being banned from the roads and a heftier fine of up to £1,000 – or £2,500 for bus, coach or goods vehicle drivers.
He said that, under the Road Safety Act 2007, motorists also committed an offence by failing to have proper control of a vehicle – which could include being distracted by using a hands-free mobile phone kit.
Mr Dyble said: "It's disappointing that so many drivers have believed they were above the law, and were prepared to put themselves and others at risk by using a phone at the wheel.
"There have been several road traffic collisions involving serious injury and death in Staffordshire in July and August, which should serve as a timely reminder to all road users to make road safety a priority. Anyone foolish enough to drive and phone at the same time should consider the potential human consequences.
"They might be prepared to risk a fine and points on their licence – but could they cope with the guilt of killing or maiming someone, just because they used their phone on the move?"
He said Staffordshire Police and its partner organisations were committed to making the county's roads as safe as possible.
"Officers will continue to target the illegal use of hand-held mobile phones by drivers at every opportunity," he said. The message is very simple – turn off your phone before starting your engine, and don't risk calling or texting at the wheel," he added.
Staffordshire Police today released the figures for the fixed penalty notices given out by officers, which relate to the six-month period since the tougher laws were introduced on February 27 this year.
