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Law-breaking drivers to face action from emergency services

05/03/08

Drivers in York who continue to risk a car insurance claim by using a mobile phone at the wheel are set to face a strict crackdown.

The emergency services have teamed up to raise awareness of the potential perils of breaking the law in this way as part of the government's Think! campaign.

Local car dealers are also taking part in the initiative to reduce the number of drivers who flout the law.

Police will be conducting patrols and staging Days of Action, in which they will purposely target law-breaking motorists.

In addition, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue officers will be running safety awareness and education days across the city in various retail outlets.

Acting Inspector John Wilkinson, leading the operation, said that casualty reduction is a priority for police in North Yorkshire.

"The message needs to get through to motorists that using a mobile when you are driving is illegal for a reason; it is extremely dangerous and can have devastating consequences," he added.

The officer went on to say that he was "astonished" that to find that motorists still break the law in this way despite the rules being implemented four years ago.

"Lives can be devastated in seconds by just one phone call or text message. No call or message is that important," he said.

Meanwhile, according to research conducted by the government, motorists who use mobile phones at the wheel have 50 times slower reaction rates than usual.

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