Mobile driving campaign launched in Gloucestershire
Police are targeting drivers of delivery and commercial vehicles
A campaign has been launched in Gloucestershire to tackle people who drive and use their mobile phone.
Gloucestershire Constabulary are particularly targeting drivers of commercial and delivery vehicles.
Traffic levels have decreased during the third lockdown with most road users either builders, delivery drivers or supermarket delivery drivers.
In the last 5 years, 23% of drivers caught using their phones in Gloucestershire were drivers of commercial vehicles.
Nigel Lloyd-Jones, priority lead for 'Safe and Social Roads' for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, said:
"Although road casualties have reduced in the 12 months up to June 2020, the number of casualties per 100 miles hasn't changed.
"So although there's less traffic on the roads the casualty rate is the same which is very concerning.
"In Gloucestershire, our road fatalities were actually 20% up. We had 24 fatalities last year compared to 20 in 2019".
Mr. Nigel Lloyd-Jones is helping to target employers with the campaign and engage and educate them about the health and safety laws around their drivers using mobile phones at the wheel.
They've been working with companies like Amazon to inform them of various apps and technologies which can be used to stop them having to check their phones or mobile devices.
Nigel continued:
"Employers have really got to support their employees in ensuring there's no expectation for them to use their mobile phones when driving.
"If an employer makes that requirement and then there's an accident, then under health and safety laws the employers could have a liability".
The overall aim of the campaign is to reduce road fatalities as well has take any extra pressure off the NHS.
The campaign is leading with the slogan "Lockdown your mobile phone, protect the NHS".
He added:
"Every accident on the road where there is an injury that's going to be another ambulance that's going to be required.
"It's not just the NHS though, our firefighters are also under pressure too. And our police officers too. They are facing huge pressures with enforcing restrictions and having many officers self-isolating.
"Everyone needs to just play their part".
Distraction is one of the 'Fatal Four' - the other three are driving under the influence of drinks or drugs, not wearing a seatbelt and speeding.
Research shows that using a mobile phone whilst driving, even when using a hands-free device, can increase the risk of crashing by a factor of four.
Officers will be engaging with drivers on the roads which will run alongside an email and social media campaign too.
It runs from February 1 for three weeks.