Liberal Democrat Councillor for the East Marsh Learn more
by Steve Beasant on 2 October, 2015
October 2015 Humberside Police Forcewide Enforcement Campaign
Motorists who use their mobile telephone whilst driving are to be targeted by Humberside Police in a month long campaign set to run throughout October.
Roads Policing officers across the force area will be concentrating on tackling the offence with a view to enforce the law and educate drivers.
The intention of this campaign is to
Casualty Reduction Officer PC Simon Carlisle said: “Mobile phones have many benefits for drivers, they can provide valuable security and help in an emergency. However, if used whilst driving it increases the risk of a collision.
“To drive safely you must concentrate. Talking on the phone distracts your attention from the road which can lead to a collision. Drivers simply cannot be in full control of their vehicle if they are using a mobile phone whilst driving.”
Locations across the force area which historically suffer from high numbers of collisions involving injury will see a higher police presence throughout the course of the campaign.
People caught using a mobile phone while driving will be dealt with by means of a traffic offence. In more serious cases, police have powers to prosecute drivers for careless or dangerous driving and drivers may also be asked to provide a breath test.
PC Carlisle said: “Legislation was introduced in December 2003 which prohibits the use of hand held mobile phones whilst driving.
“There is growing evidence the use of mobile phones is becoming a more common contributory causation factor in many serious collisions. It is the mental distraction more than the physical distraction that causes the problems.
“And although it is currently legal to use hands free kits, this still causes a similar mental distraction to that of a hand held mobile phone and the latest version of the Highway Code, revised in 2007, actively discourages the use of hands free kit.”
According to research conducted by the University of Utah in 2009, driving performance was dramatically impaired when the driver was using even using a hands free mobile phone in 97.5% of cases out of a sample of 200 drivers.
Using mobile phones when driving – The law
Penalties for using your phone while driving:
When you can use a phone in your vehicle?:
If you’re the driver, you can only use your phone in a vehicle if you:
Using hands-free devices when driving:
You can use hands-free phones, satellite navigation systems and two-way radios when you’re driving or riding. But if the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle you could still get stopped and penalised.
Being stopped by the police while driving: your rights
The police can stop a vehicle for any reason. If they ask you to stop, you should always pull over. You’re breaking the law if you don’t.
More information:
SAFER ROADS HUMBER: http://www.humbersidesafetycameras.com/
Royal The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/adviceandinformation/driving/mobilephoneswhiledriving/
Government Guidance https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law
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