Driven to distraction

CRACKDOWN . . . a driver uses his mobile phone on Oldham Way

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

UNDERCOVER police officers will stalk the roads as they come crashing down on rogue motorists who use mobile phones while driving.

Greater Manchester Police launched a major operation today to catch those committing the dangerous offence. Mobile phone use while driving has been a scourge of the borough recently ­- there was outrage from readers when the Chronicle published a photograph of a woman who had tucked her phone into her head scarf and more outcries of anger when a Chronicle photographer snapped seven drivers using their phones after spending just a few minutes at the side of Oldham Way.

To buck the trend, GMP officers will crack down on drivers who disregard the safety of other road users as they target the main routes around Greater Manchester to enforce the law.

Undercover and marked police vehicles will be on duty to catch motorists throughout the coming weeks and in the run up to Christmas.

Currently a driver found guilty of using a hand-held phone can be given three penalty points on their licence and a fine of £100.

But from next year harsher penalties will see offenders slapped with six points on their licence and a £200 on-the-spot fine.

In the past two years, more than 5,000 drivers in Greater Manchester have been given fixed penalty notices or sent on awareness courses but traffic officers believe those numbers are just the tip of the iceberg.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said using a mobile phone when driving has the same effect as drink driving and people must start taking responsibility for their actions which can devastate families.

He said: "It is time for drivers to take personal responsibility for what they do when in charge of a vehicle. The consequences of using a mobile while behind the wheel are huge and can lead to people being seriously injured or killed.

"It leaves families devastated and we must stop it now.

"No-one would think of getting into a car with someone who has been drinking alcohol in the driving seat so why would you put yourself at risk when someone uses a mobile. We can all make a difference by urging people to think about their actions.

"Parents would never drink and drive with their children in the car, so they should never use a mobile when driving.

"The message is simple, put it out of sight until you have finished your journey. Avoid the temptation by putting it in a bag, the boot of your car or the glove box.

"We can all play our part to make this as unacceptable as drink driving. I am calling on the manufacturers of cars and mobile phones to work together to introduce technology that will prevent people using phones when driving except through hands-free kits."

GMP will also raise awareness via social media and call on people to consider what they are doing. It is also part of the #wrongfortheroad campaign that targets unacceptable behaviour on the roads of Greater Manchester and a Twitterchat to support the initiative will be held with traffic officers on November 17.

Footage obtained by Greater Manchester Police of people using their mobile phones at the wheel can also be viewed online.

Anyone with details of persistent offenders are urged to contact local officers or call 101.