Motorists warned after police phone blitz

May 1 2008

Motorists including car loan customers have been advised to stay off the phone while driving after a police crackdown.

Cheshire and Merseyside Police have been using "spotlight days" to catch people using handsets while at the wheel.

The Liverpool Daily Post reports both forces caught and fined more than 14,000 drivers for the offence in 2006.

AA head of road safety Andrew Howard told the paper: "Drivers would be pleased to hear this – when you have a phone in your hand you’re at much greater risk."

Motorists from the north-west including some Car Finance customers could also be interested to know the figures equate to almost 40 motorists fined every day in the region.

Stats from the Department for Transport say anyone using a phone while driving is four times more likely to crash.

People found to be committing the offence, including people who bought their vehicle with a car loan, face a £60 penalty and three points on their licence.

Guidelines from the government recommend motorists switch their phone off or to voicemail before starting a journey.

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