Police launch campaign targeting motorists who use phones whilst driving

Dyfed Powys Police is supporting the All Wales Anti Mobile Phone Driving Campaign which is being led by North Wales Police, in partnership with Road Safety Wales.

The two-week all-Wales enforcement campaign is urging all road users to ‘keep their eyes on the road’ and not be distracted by answering their mobile phone, reading a text or going online.

Police patrols will increase across Wales for the duration of the enforcement campaign, which runs from 6th until 19th October, to promote the safety message and raise awareness of the dangers and penalties amongst motorists.

Go Safe safety camera vans will also be used for the duration of the campaign as they also enforce mobile phone offences.

Chief Inspector Ieuan Mathews said

“Driving while using a mobile phone is not only illegal but dangerous. It doesn’t just put your own life at risk but also the lives of your passengers and other road users who may not have a say in your actions behind the wheel.

“We would encourage drivers to switch off their phones while driving; no phone call is so urgent that it requires you to answer it and put yourself and others at risk. We will continue to work closely with our partners to raise awareness and educate but we will also prosecute those drivers who continue to flout the law.”

Chair of Road Safety Wales Susan Storch said:

“Driving a vehicle requires us to multi-task so anything above and beyond that needs to wait until we are safely parked up or until our journey has finished.

“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 that you need to switch off before you drive off.”

Throughout the campaign police and their partners will be using social media to highlight the campaign messages using the hash tag #fatal5 and #eyesontheroad

Notes:

During the 2013 campaign officers detected a total of 1,095 mobile phone driving offences.

In the Dyfed Powys force area 862 notices were given, while in South Wales 91 offenders were caught and apprehended.

North Wales Police issued 95 fixed penalty notices while in the Gwent area a total of 47 notices were issued to law-breakers.

Advice:

• Don’t make or answer calls when you’re driving

All phone calls distract drivers’ attention from the road. You can pick up any missed calls or texts when it is safe and convenient to do so. If you need to use the phone when driving, then stop at the first safe opportunity

• It’s illegal to use a hand-held mobile when driving on the road even if you’ve stopped at traffic lights or are stuck in a traffic jam or are in a car park

All these situations are covered by the legal definition of ‘driving on the road’.

• Park safely before using your mobile phone

Do not park on the hard shoulder of the motorway.

• Don’t call other people when they’re driving

If you call someone and they tell you they are driving, ask them to call you back when they have parked up safely

Further information regarding the Go Safe partnership is available via their website www.gosafe.org