MOBILE PHONE DRIVERS TARGETED IN CAMPAIGN

Keep your eyes on the road and forget your mobile when driving. It could cost you a £1,000 and your licence.

That’s the stern message from all Wales police and Road Safety Wales who are running a clamp down campaign on the use of mobile phones until October 7.

The campaign calls for all drivers to concentrate on driving and not be distracted by the phones in any way. Police patrols are being stepped up to draw driver’s attention to the risks and potential heavy penalties.

Nationally, the numbers of motorists using mobile phones to make calls, texts or social media updates whilst driving has risen and distracted driving is expected to be the biggest single cause of death and injuries on roads as a result in 2015.

In Wales more than 900 motorists were caught using their mobile phones whilst behind the wheel during the 2014 campaign.

There were 97 offences recorded in Carmarthenshire during last year’s campaign with 75 having been committed by over 24-year-olds and over and 19 under 24-year-olds. Three offences were issued to supervisors of learner drivers.

Carmarthenshire council’s executive board member for transport services, Cllr Hazel Evans, said: “Even the most experienced or competent of drivers can be easily distracted. The slightest lapse in concentration can have serious consequences.

“Campaigns such as this demonstrate the resolve of all the Road Safety Wales partners in tackling this issue and we will continue to work together to drive home the message of not using your mobile phone behind the wheel. No call or text is that important.”

Chair of Road Safety Wales Susan Storch said: “Driving a vehicle requires us to multi-task so anything above and beyond needs to wait until we are safely parked up or until our journey has finished.”