PR 3496
The North Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership is to step up its enforcement to catch motorists illegally using their mobile phones while driving. It plans to introduce safety camera technology and continue the use of unmarked police cars in a bid to catch those flouting the law.
The cameras will be used from late May/early June as part of an enforcement campaign targeting mobile phone users.
During 2007, the police issued 449 fixed penalty notices for mobile phone offences. And between January and March this year, they have issued 99 fixed penalty notices.
It is a criminal offence to use hand-held mobile telephones while driving. If caught, drivers face a £60 fine with three penalty points on their licence. More serious offences such as causing death by dangerous driving through use of mobile phones can lead to a 14-year prison sentence.
Besides using the use of unmarked police cars and introducing safety cameras, other plans include tackling occupational road risk (work related road safety). This is in light of the recently revised corporate manslaughter law. The law reinforces the responsibility of employers to ensure that their business practices do not endanger the public by causing employees to commit offences or work in an unsafe manner.
Over the coming months, many businesses will be reviewing their working practices.
This should have a positive impact on illegal mobile telephone use.
The North Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership will be offering advice to businesses about the road safety aspects of the new law. This will include the use of mobile telephones.
Cllr Bernard Regan, Chair of the North Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said:
"It is a criminal offence to use your mobile phone while driving. Besides the obvious consequences of being fined and facing a prison sentence, using a mobile telephone while driving has been shown to impair a driver’s ability to the same extent as if they were twice over the legal alcohol limit for driving. This is a great concern to the North Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership. And that is why we are stepping up our work to protect other road users and keep them safe.
"We will continue to enforce the law where mobile phones are concerned. The new safety camera initiative, along with our regular enforcement publicity campaigns and working with businesses, will hopefully get the message to drivers, that we won’t tolerate using mobile phones while driving."
For further information please contact: Sarah Williamson on 01724 296353 or email sarah.williamson@northlincs.gov.uk.