News

27 August 2008
DON'T RISK IT, POLICE CHIEF WARNS MOBILE PHONE MOTORISTS

It’s banned in countries from Australia to Zimbabwe.  In Bahrain and The Netherlands, you can go to prison, if you do it. And in the United Kingdom, it’s been banned since 2003 and you can be fined and have endorsement points on your driving licence for doing it.

“So why so many drivers choose simply to ignore all the warnings and continue to use their mobile phones when behind the wheel defies comprehension,” says Chief Superintendent Mike McCormick (Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary), Portfolio Lead for Casualty Reduction for the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area.

Research has shown that drivers using hand-held mobile phones while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a road crash.

To remind motorists on Scotland’s roads again of the risks associated with driving while using a mobile phone, the country’s eight police forces will participate in a one-day, 24-hour  ‘Mobile Phone Day of Action’ on Wednesday, 27 August,  being co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS). 

“Ignore the law and you can land up with a £60 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence,” added Chief Superintendent McCormick.  “In fact, the consequences could be more serious as the courts could consider discretionary disqualification and a maximum fine of £1000 or £2500, if you are a driver of a bus or coach or goods vehicle.”

“Or you could end up dead or killing innocent people, as has happened in England last year,” Mr. McCormick warned. “And under new U.K. road traffic safety laws, you will go to prison if someone is killed.”

ACPOS is staging its second day of action on mobile phones this year.  On the mobile phone day of action held last February, Scottish police officers stopped over 300 motorists using their mobile phone while driving.

“You can be stopped by police even if you are using a hands-free phone,” Chief Superintendent McCormick advised.  “If your driving performance is impaired by using a mobile phone in any way that creates an accident risk, and you will be stopped.

“Don’t do mobile, when you are mobile! The consequences can be very severe, so don’t risk it!”