Drivers in Cheshire who use a mobile phone at the wheel will be the focus of a week-long national campaign by officers.
The week of action, from today (Monday, 17th September) until Sunday 23rd September, will see officers throughout the county on the lookout for anyone using social media, texting or taking a call while driving.
National figures show drivers who use mobile phones at the wheel are four times more likely to be involved in a collision. In January 2018 officers stopped 3,0001 motorists with 1,997 mobile phone offences detected across the country.
Anyone who is caught driving while using a mobile phone faces the prospect of a £200 fine and six penalty points on their license, as well as an increase in their car insurance premium.
Inspector Darren Owen, of Cheshire Police's Roads Policing Team, said: "Although officers are always on the lookout for drivers using a mobile phone these campaigns allow us to reinforce the message that using a handheld device is dangerous, completely reckless and dispels the thought that you can't expect to be caught.
"Checking for a text, or picking up the phone could be enough of a distraction for you to kill someone at the wheel. Having that on your conscience and facing a prison sentence just isn't worth it."
David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, added: "Using a mobile phone at the wheel is against the law and is often a contributing factor in road traffic collisions. Checking a text or a social media post could be enough of a distraction for you to cause an accident which could have devastating consequences for other road users or pedestrians.
"Making Cheshire's roads safer is one of my key priorities as your elected police and crime commissioner and I am pleased that officers from Cheshire Constabulary are doing all they can to clamp down on drivers who use mobile phones to make our roads safer."
As well as enforcement, the campaign will also focus on educating drivers about the dangers of driving while using a hand held device.
Inspector Owen added: "This operation is not just about issuing tickets, it's also about educating motorists about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving to help prevent tragedies occurring.
"My advice is if you're driving a car to pay attention to the road ahead and not your mobile phone. It could be the difference between life and death."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Part of the problem is that drivers get offered the chance of an Awareness course, plus a fine, or the 6 points and a fine, I think the latter should apply in all cases as the shock of 6 points might make them think twice before re-offending. I dont believe the Awareness course is much good as a deterrent.
If it "cures" the offender, then good.
If it doesn't, then there is no 2nd chance: it's straight to the fine and points.
Enforcement might catch a small percentage of perpetrators and hopefully prevent a similar low number of serious accidents but it's the proverbial 'pimple on an elephants' backside' outcome - should you get caught for either 'phone driving or tailgating it's more down to bad luck rather than better policing.
Let's face it, the police (not specifically Cheshire Police) are looking for headline publicity to let us think we are being better protected - it's mostly PR smoke and mirrors. It might be lack/reduction of funding and insufficient resources but as far as policing goes, things ain't what they used to be. Not only can forces no longer cope but their 'management and vision' has gone to pot - too many bean counters and not enough 'real cops' running the service.
Enforcement of Laws and slavish relience on results spreadsheets has replaced proactive traditional policing. I read earlier this week that the Met. close off huge numbers of lower level crime reports (if one considers burglery and assault as low level) without even the most superficial attempts to investigate them, let alone trying to solve anything and bring the bad guys to book.
Add that to the prison crisis and sentencing that, to the man in the street, in many instances appear derisory - more driven by lack of accommodation rather than punishment tarrif; an utter failure to recognise as to why prisons are in such a dire state - and the picture is really worrying.
But let us not be too concerned - see, our highly paid Police and Crime Commissioner comes up with a highly original and confidence boosting quote in the body article!!