Drivers fined for mobile phone driving

EIGHT motorists a day are fined for talking on their mobile phones while driving in South Yorkshire.

A total of 3,109 on-the-spot fines were slapped on drivers in the region in only one year.

The offence carries an instant £60 fine and 3 points on the driving licence.

A police spokesman said: “Using a mobile phone while driving is extremely dangerous as it increases the reaction time of the driver.

“The reaction time of a driver using a mobile phone is the equivalent to being at the drink-drive limit.

“The offence is one of the key priorities for South Yorkshire Police road policing group officers who use both marked and unmarked vehicles to conduct their patrols.

A total of 830 were fined because their vehicle was in a dangerous or defective condition and 230 for neglecting pedestrian rights.

Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the AA, said: “People are now being caught for using mobile phones and drivers need to be aware of that.

“I think drivers would be pleased to hear this – it doesn’t take much to show that when you have a phone in your hand you’re at much greater risk of having an accident.”

Posted in Health & mobile phones
Tags: accident, fined, mobile phone driving