Shropshire drivers still flouting mobile phone law

Figures from a new Shropshire Star survey reveal that 39 per cent of drivers admit to illegally checking their phone, despite the fact that 94 per cent acknowledged it was dangerous.

Also, nearly one in 10 motorists admitted to searching the internet while driving.

Police and crime commissioner for West Mercia, Bill Longmore, said he was concerned by the figures, adding that it only took a momentary lapse of concentration to cause a tragedy.

Mr Longmore, told the Shropshire Star that he was concerned by the results of the poll. He said mobile phones were now an ingrained part of everyday life.

"It does concern me, though, that some people just seem unable to tear themselves away from them at times, including when they get behind the wheel of a car," he said.

Mr Longmore, who served as a police officer for 30 years, said any road traffic officer would testify that even a momentary distraction could have tragic consequences. "It only needs a second for that to happen," he said.

"Admittedly, some distractions are easier to eliminate than others when you're driving, but mobile phones are definitely one that there's really no excuse with.

"However tempting it may be to take an important call, or send a quick text, I assure you anyone who has seen the devastation it can cause wouldn't take that chance."

Mr Longmore, who has said he will not be seeking re-election in May, said it was disappointing that most people acknowledged the risk, but still chose to ignore it.

"The focus now has got to be on closing that gap, and ensuring that everyone realises the danger, and then acts on it – leaving their phone out of arm's reach and driving responsibly," he said.

The survey of more than 600 people found that a quarter of drivers admitted to sending or reading text messages while driving.

The Government has announced plans to increase the penalties for people caught using their phones at the wheel, but two thirds of those who took part in the survey said these measures did not go far enough.

Mr Longmore said that stiffer penalties could only be part of the solution.

"Plans for harsher penalties are one way of trying to remove the temptation, but for me, the key is making people truly understand the other risks they are taking," he said. "Road accidents that can be avoided cost us all, and I have seen the damage first hand.

"They put additional strain on the NHS, ambulance services and police, and can cost a phenomenal amount of public money. However, the pain for families when a loved one is killed or seriously injured is the biggest cost of all.

"I would plead with people to focus on driving, stay safe, and not take that unnecessary risk behind the wheel."

Online readers of the Shropshire Star have inundated us with their views regarding the issue of using mobile phones while driving. Here are some of the best of them.

Mark Brierley: "It gets me that people spend thousands on a car, hundreds on mobile phone but won't spend less than £30 on a bluetooth hands free kit.

"People are willing to put their and everyone else's safety at risk, maybe because they know the chances of being caught are minimal with less police on the roads.

"Get caught using a phone while driving should be an immediate 12 month ban, same as drink or drug-driving."

Ben Sirach: "Why not zero tolerance? An automatic ban for a period of time might make more people think."

Llandy: "It's really very simple. When you get in your vehicle, turn off your mobile before you turn on the ignition. Hands free isn't the answer either. They can be just as distracting."

Morceau Placard: "Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs or using a hand-held phone and even smoking with a child in the car equates to a person without principles and a don't care attitude. Solution – confiscate vehicle and crush it. Sure it's a harsh penalty, but they will not do it again, and another idiot off the road."

Tell it like it is: "Why not ban using the switches and indicators or even talking or listening to the radio as well just to be on the safe side? The police have been using radios to communicate while driving for years with no problems."

Rhodes: "Are we missing the point here? What we need is to educate road users that using a mobile phone (even a hands free one) is a distraction from the task in hand be it: driving, cycling or walking. If we educate more people before they become drivers etc rather than waiting for them to get caught then send them on a course, maybe just maybe, we wouldn't need higher fines and more enforcement."

Anna Higgins, of West Mercia's Safer Roads Partnership, said it was a concern that while most people agreed using a mobile while driving was dangerous, a significant number persisted in doing so.

"Using a mobile phone at the wheel, including calls, texts, internet, sat-nav or radio, is illegal and a dangerous distraction," she said. "As well as risking a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence, just a split second distraction could have devastating consequences."

She advised motorists to keep their phones out of reach while driving, adding: "Distractions are even more dangerous at this time of year when visibility is already reduced due to darker mornings and evenings and weather conditions."

The figures come days after transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the Government was looking to increase penalties for people caught flouting the law which bans using hand-held phones while driving.

The government is proposing to raise the fixed penalty fines for those driving while using mobile phones from £100 to £150.

The number of penalty points added to offenders' driving licences would increase from three to four – or six points for drivers of larger vehicles such as HGVs.

Mr McLoughlin, said: "Using a mobile phone at the wheel is reckless and costs lives – I want to see it become a social taboo like not wearing a seatbelt.

"The message is clear: keep your hands on the wheel, not your phone. If you keep taking calls while at the wheel, you could end up being banned from the road."

However, Mr Longmore said stiffer penalties should only be part of a wider campaign to discourage people from using their phones at the wheel. "For me, the key is making people truly understand the other risks they are taking," he said.

According to government figures, phone use was a contributing factor in 21 fatal collisions and 84 serious collisions in 2014.