Days after trucker gets 10 years for killing a mum and three kids, we expose shocking snaps of drivers using phones at the wheel
Some were even caught fiddling with their phones on the same stretch of the A34 near Newbury where Kroker fatally crashed
TODAY The Sun exposes the shocking epidemic of drivers STILL using their phones behind the wheel.
One day after Polish trucker Tomasz Kroker, 30, was jailed for killing four people while distracted with his device, we witnessed many other drivers showing the same lethal disregard for the law.
Some were even caught fiddling with their phones on the same stretch of the A34 near Newbury where Kroker fatally crashed.
We examined footage from six dual carriageways and motorways across Britain to see how many drivers were looking at their mobiles instead of the road ahead.
The results are terrifying.
As well as the A34 we found mobiles being used on the M3 in Hampshire, the M1 near Luton, in Essex on the A13 near Stanford-Le-Hope, and the A12 near Brentwood, and the M20 at Maidstone.
Fines and points are set to double for motorists caught using devices behind the wheel next year. Our investigation shows those tougher penalties cannot come soon enough.
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Kroker was convicted of the more serious offence of death by dangerous driving and got ten years in jail.
It was little comfort to the families of those he killed — Tracy Houghton, 45, her sons Ethan, 13, and Josh, 11, and partner Mark Goldsmith’s daughter Aimee, 11.
Aimee’s mum Kate Goldsmith this week appealed for motorists to “stop using mobile phones while driving”.
Sadly, as our pictures show, her emotional plea is falling on deaf ears . . .
What the law says about using a phone at the wheel
It is illegal to ride a motorbike or drive a vehicle while using a handheld phone or similar device.
The punishment: Three points on your licence and a £100 fine. From next year it will be six points and a £200 fine.
If it goes to court you could be disqualified from driving and fined £1,000. Bus and lorry drivers could get a £2,500 fine. Tomasz Kroker was convicted of death by dangerous driving.
Any exceptions? The only time you are allowed to touch your device is if you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop.
Using a hands-free kit: You can use hands-free phones, sat navs and change the music on your radio while driving or riding. But if the police think anything you’re doing could make you distracted and out of control of your vehicle you could face the same penalty as if caught holding a device.
Is hands-free safe? No. Studies show they are just as distracting to the driver.
Yet talking to a passenger is OK? The passenger can recognise when the traffic is challenging and stop talking, allowing the driver to give their full attention to the road.
Why aren’t hands-free calls illegal too? Police say it would be too hard to enforce.