Hampshire Police cracking down on mobile phone use while driving
Officers say it can be as dangerous as drink driving
Last updated 7th Feb 2022
There's a reminder to drivers across Hampshire that using your mobile phone behind the wheel can impair your abilities more than if you'd been drink driving.
Today (Monday 7th February) marks the start of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of using a phone while driving.
Hampshire's Roads Policing Unit is backing the campaign and calling on motorists to think before they dial.
They've said mobile phone use is one of the Fatal 4 factors, that can increase your chances of being seriously injured or even killed if you're involved in a road traffic collision.
The others are drink and drug driving; speeding; and not wearing a seatbelt.
Road Safety Sergeant David Hazlett, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit said:
“Driving whilst using a mobile device is dangerous and one of the four main contributory causes of fatal collisions.
“Whilst many vehicles now allow drivers to pair their phones and devices, people should not view ‘hands free’ as being a safe alternative.
“Research has shown that you are four times more likely to be involved in a collision and be less likely to notice and react to hazards in time by the distraction that mobile devices cause.
“This includes using ‘hands free’ as your attention is divided between driving and the conversation you will be having so can impact on the quality of your driving. Is it worth answering that call or can it wait?
“Texting, checking emails, scrolling through music and other device functions also distracts the driver and prevents their full attention which is needed for safe driving.
“It’s important to say that the vast majority of drivers don’t break the law but work still needs to be done to change the public’s minds and make mobile phone use in vehicles as socially unacceptable as drink and drug driving.”