Police clamp down on drivers using mobile phones

police officers copy

Despite warnings on the dangers of being distracted by mobile phones while driving, people continue to drive around Cheshire staring at their knees instead of the road or trying to negotiate traffic with one hand on the wheel.

Police in Cheshire have been clamping down on those texting or making phone calls while driving this month as part of an operation aimed at educating drivers and prosecuting repeat offenders.

Last year over a 12 month period Cheshire officers issued 2,041 tickets to drivers using a mobile phone and 419 tickets for not being in proper control.

PC Eoin Anderson said: "We want to drive the message home that being distracted at the wheel causes collisions, injuries and in some cases, death.

"Nationally 21 people died last year as a result of using a mobile phone while driving.

"We are the ones who pick up the pieces and have to tell the families when a tragic collision happens and we would rather stop you in your tracks and give you a ticket than knock on your family's door telling them you won't be coming home.

"We are determined to make Cheshire roads safer for all those who use them, and we know that being distracted at the wheel can be a killer. So we will be out and about ticketing anyone we see using their mobiles while driving."

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Oliver Romain
Sunday 10th January 2016 at 1:23 pm
Good but not good enough. You could issue 20 tickets by sitting on any street for a couple of hours in an unmarked car. Not to mention the motorways and busy A roads.
Barry Stafford
Wednesday 13th January 2016 at 1:54 pm
It is now a national outrage,of the clever (they think) who drive one or in some cases no hands whilst they hold a phone,big sandwich.or Starbucks bucket of coffee.The worst offenders are White-van man,who feel, as they only have small windows on the sides ,cannot be seen.The smart women in the large 4x4 tractors.If you can afford a new Range Rover, they come with 'Bluetooth' Go hands free PLEASE!!!!!!! .There are now simple units to plug into the cigarette lighter also as low as £10. I suggest the Police stand at the corner of Bethel lane ,and Chapel Rd. any morning and you can count 1in 5 drivers are not looking at the road. It would be great if many drivers used their indicators at roudabouts,on leaving you signal 'LEFT' Yes its 'Highway Code' simple really.Baz