Police launch phone crackdown (From The Oxford Times)

Police launch phone crackdown

11:30am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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Police today warned they plan a special crackdown on drivers using their mobile phones.

From Monday to the following Sunday officers will be running a special campaign in and around Oxfordshire.

Thames Valley Police said that enforcement takes place throughout the year during organised checks and routine patrols, but the aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of drivers who risk using a mobile phone whilst driving and catching those who ignore the warning.

Road Safety Sergeant Chris Appleby said: “Drivers must remember that using a mobile phone while driving endangers not only themselves but all other road users. Such use of our roads will not be tolerated by Thames Valley Police.”

Any driver who is caught will be prosecuted, usually by way of a £60 fixed penalty ticket and three penalty points.

Drivers who are eligible will be given the option of paying to attend an education course instead of the fine and points on their licence, although this option is only available to drivers once every three years.

During the last year, more than 7,000 people have been caught driving while using their phone in the Thames Valley area; research suggests that it is as dangerous as drink-driving.

Drivers are reminded that the law on the use of mobile phones whilst driving is simple:

• It is an offence for a person to drive a motor vehicle on a road if the driver is using a handheld mobile telephone or a handheld device, which performs an interactive communication function.
• ‘Using’ has a wide definition and could include listening, reading, watching, texting, emailing, checking for a phone number, dialling, speaking, looking at pictures or checking out music.