Police Crack Down on Mobile Phone Use at the Wheel

An annual police campaign is under way to target people using their mobile phone whilst driving.

This week and next, officers will be carrying out more checks in Hertfordshire to make sure that motorists are not breaking the law.

It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving for virtually any use – this includes texting, taking photos or looking through playlists. The law still applies if you are stopped at traffic lights and queuing in traffic. A device can be used handsfree as long as they are not held at any time during usage, allowing things like Sat Nav use.

Last year 1,081 people were caught across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire using their mobile phone whilst driving – 407 of these were on Hertfordshire roads.

You could receive a £200 fine and six points on your licence if you are caught breaking the law and face a £1,000 fine (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus) and a ban from driving if you are taken to court. You will also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last two years.

Chief Inspector Steve O’Keeffe, Head of the Road Policing Unit for Beds, Cambs and Herts, said: ‘Using a mobile phone whilst driving is incredibly distracting. You need to ask yourself, is taking a call or sending a text worth risking yours or someone else’s life?

‘We do not want to be knocking at your family’s door telling them that you will not be coming home, because you couldn’t wait to call a friend back.

‘We recommend storing your phone where you can’t access it, perhaps in the glove compartment or the boot, to keep it out of sight and out of mind.’