Drivers caught in phone crackdown

02 March 2010

Police have been left "disappointed" after they caught 180 motorists in a day using their mobile phone while driving.

All eight of Scotland's police forces teamed-up as part of a 24-hour mobile phone crackdown organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Among those caught was a lorry driver who was driving through a city centre while reading a text message.

The total figure was a slight increase on the previous year's initiative which saw 171 people caught.

Police hope the operation has raised awareness among drivers about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving. Evidence has shown it decreases concentration levels and impairs reaction times.

Chief Superintendent Charlie Common, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "The number of motorists who continue to use their mobile phone whilst driving is extremely disappointing.

"With evidence that using a phone distracts the driver and reduces their control of the vehicle, these results could have had serious consequences.

"Knowing first-hand the devastation which road traffic accidents have on families, we are committed to stopping those motorists who continue to ignore the safety warnings and risk their life and the lives of others.

"My message is clear; there is no phone call that is worth risking a life for."

Motorists in the Strathclyde area were the worst offenders, with 103 people stopped, followed by Lothian and Borders, where 39 drivers broke the law.

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