Road Safety Campaign Targets Dangers of Mobile Phone Use While Driving

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit are backing an annual national campaign aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving. The campaign runs until 12 March, 2023.

Using a mobile phone while driving is one of the ‘fatal four’ factors that can significantly increase the chances of being involved in a collision where you or others are seriously injured or killed on our roads. The other three causes are speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

During the previous road safety campaign, Operation Holly, 737 arrests were made across both force areas for a variety of offenses, with 286 arrests in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight alone. In response, police will conduct proactive patrols and safety checks across the road network to catch drivers risking their lives and the lives of other motorists by using their phone while driving.

Aside from the devastating consequences of a collision, drivers using a mobile phone while driving face a £200 fine and six points on their license for a one-time offense, to a lengthy ban and a £1,000 fine for those caught twice. New drivers, those who have passed within two years of being caught, face having their license revoked if caught just once.

Chief Inspector Chris Spellerberg, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said, “Using a mobile phone while driving is unacceptable, reckless and incredibly dangerous. Just being distracted from the road ahead of you for a split second could result in a serious crash.”

CI Spellerberg also noted that even hands-free devices can be distracting enough to divert a driver’s attention at a critical moment.

The recent case of HGV driver Michal Kopaniarz, who was jailed for 12 years for killing three motorists in a crash because he was using his mobile phone while driving, highlights the devastating consequences of such reckless behaviour.

“I hope the strong sentence given by the judge acts as a warning to anyone thinking of doing the same,” CI Spellerberg added. “Nothing on your phone could possibly be worth causing that much pain and devastation. It is simply not worth the risk.”

For road safety advice, visit the Hampshire Constabulary’s website at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/driving-mobile-device-use/.