Drivers putting lives on the line by continuing to use mobile phones at wheel
LIVES are being put at risk by selfish drivers who continue to use their mobiles while driving.
A total of 76 drivers were caught using their phone during May – more than double the figure for April.
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HAZARD: Too many motorists in the region are using their mobile phones while driving.
This equates to nearly a quarter of the total number of fixed penalty notices issued by officers in the entire Humberside Police force area (325).
As well as the £60 fines, officers dished out three penalty points to motorists caught using handsets illegally on the region's roads.
PC Barry Gardner, casualty reduction officer for Humberside Police, said: "While the figures are high, which shows we are out there enforcing this offence, it is somewhat disappointing that we are achieving these results.
"It means that there are still a large number of motorists in North Lincolnshire who are prepared to gamble with their own and other road users safety in order to make or receive a simple telephone call."
Video technology is being used by police to catch drivers flouting mobile phone laws.
And in April this year, police warned drivers they would use all the tools at their disposal to catch those using phones at the wheel, including cameras mounted in cars as well as covert and marked patrols.
But PC Gardner said the message simply was not getting through.
"We in the traffic section are regularly dealing with crashes caused by drivers who have adopted this selfish attitude, some of whom pay far dearer prices than three points and a £60 fine," he said.
"I would urge all drivers to refrain from using a mobile phone at any time while driving.
"Be honest with yourself – you know if you think about it, that while you are having that telephone conversation that you are not concentrating on the job in hand, driving."
And PC Gardner stressed that Humberside Police regularly enforce the 'core' mobile phone offence all-year round and not just during campaigns.
Pete Scott, head of safer roads at North Lincolnshire Council, said: "It is disappointing so many drivers are still flouting the law in North Lincolnshire.
"It has been made very clear in national and local road safety partnership publicity how potentially dangerous it is to use a mobile telephone when driving.
"There's absolutely no excuse for it and the consequences if a driver is involved in a crash when using a mobile telephone could be devastating, for them and their family as well as for anyone injured in the crash."
9 Comments
by Anne, Scunthorpe
Tuesday, June 22 2010, 10:53AM
“One of the worst schools I know of is the back gate of Henderson Ave. school on Spencer Ave.
There must be every traffic violation known to man being carried out there (apart from speeding)
I would say where do some of these people get their driving licence from? Woolworths but of course they are closed down so it must be off the internet.”
by John, Scunthorpe
Monday, June 21 2010, 10:51PM
“For those who say get the police outside schools lets just remember a lot of the rough schools like Fred Gough have police roaming the corridors, why would they want to go outside at leaving time and get cold.”
by Scunny, Scunthorpe
Monday, June 21 2010, 8:48PM
“Let's get one thing straight. These aren't 'selfish' drivers, these are dangerous drivers. Research has demonstrated that using a mobile when driving has the same impact on concentration as being twice over the alcohol limit. Unfortunately the law is inadequate, this offence should involve loss of licence. But really, the police could catch many, many more if they just got on the street and watched traffic.”
by anth, Scunthorpe
Monday, June 21 2010, 7:27PM
“Chris,if the police were outside schools at start/finish time they would literally hit the jackpot.Virtually every offence in the book can be seen from no seat belts,mobile phones,lighting, and just plain poor driving standards.”
by Grumpy Old Man, Market Rasen
Monday, June 21 2010, 7:23PM
“I fully agree with the comments, particularly Jes. Ban them from the road. I am sick of having to take evasive action mainly on roundabouts when drivers have a phone in one hand, turning around the corners and trying to change gear at the same time. This is the tip of the iceberg”
by jes, scunthorpe
Monday, June 21 2010, 6:24PM
“Don't just fine them give them a ban for a year.That will sort them out.”
by chris, Scunthorpe
Monday, June 21 2010, 4:34PM
“All the police have to do is be outside any school at dropping off or picking up time and they would double these figures in a day.”
by anth, Scunthorpe
Monday, June 21 2010, 12:16PM
“No doubt just the tip of the iceberg.”
by Suzi, Scunthorpe
Monday, June 21 2010, 11:51AM
“I think the most dissapointing thing is that the police aren't catching more, the police officer states that the numbers are high but the facts are it's even higher than his figures. Is he trying to cover the police's poor performances in catching the offenders.”