Cops launch crackdown on growing problem of motorists checking social media on mobile phones while driving
COPS have launched a crackdown on the growing problem of motorists checking social media while driving.
They are warning drivers of the dangers it poses ahead of of stricter legislation expected to be introduced in March.
PC Steve Bretnall, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Because of the way phones are now, they're more or less small computers, and they're not just used for taking and receiving phone calls any more.
"What we find is the use of mobile phones has increased dramatically to take into account the extra uses that a phone has - using it for social media and so on.
"I gave somebody a traffic offence report two weeks ago for using her phone to check Facebook and scrolling through Facebook while she was driving.
"She didn't see a problem with that, she said 'I'm not using it as a phone'.
"And, of course, the misconception is that you have to have a mobile phone to your ear and in conversation to commit an offence, but that's not the case at all.
"If you're using it as satellite navigation, if you're stationary in traffic or if you are using it to text somebody, which is probably the worst way of using your phone because the amount of concentration required to do that while driving presents a clear danger to other road users, then you are still committing an offence."
Under plans announced last year, the Department for Transport is set to introduce legislation doubling the punishment for using a handheld mobile phone while driving - with the fine rising from £100 to £200 and penalty points increasing from three to six.
Speaking at a police roadside operation in Oldham, Gtr Manchester, PC Bretnall added: "There has been a rise in serious and fatal road traffic collisions, a lot of which can be attributed directly to the use of mobile phones."
A week-long campaign to tackle the problem in November saw more than 40 drivers caught every hour.
As well as detecting nearly 8,000 mobile phone offences, police delivered hundreds of verbal warnings while 68 court summonses were issued. Officers also identified 117 other "distraction" offences.
Pc Bretnall added: "Just don't use your phone. We've got to be realistic, people aren't going to put their phone in the boot, they aren't going to put it in the glove box.
"Just don't use it. Whatever it is it must be able to wait."
Our handy guide explains what the law is on using a phone while driving.
The new iniative by cops comes as we told how mobiles could have their signals automatically blocked while cars are being driven.
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