Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl is supporting Government proposals for tougher penalties for motorists who use a mobile phone whilst driving.
The government is planning to increase fixed penalty fines from £100 to £150, sickness as well as increasing the number of penalty points from three to four and three to six for drivers of large vehicles such as HGVs.
Mr. Surl said, “All drivers know it’s against the law but I’m sure I’m no different to many other motorists in that I see it happening all the time. It’s dangerous and evidence shows it causes people to crash, sometimes with devastating consequences.
“All motorists have a duty to behave responsibly and I would like to think it could lead to a change in our driving habits in the way the law on wearing seatbelts did because we need to develop a road using culture that demonstrates respect for others and a more sociable approach to driving. Things like less tailgating, letting people out and acknowledging when someone gives way to you.
“We know that a sizeable proportion of the road using public do their very best to keep within the law and behave in a safe and social way, but it is also apparent that a minority still pose a significant risk by acting selfishly and sadly our casualty statistics prove this”.
Gloucestershire’s Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, who is the roads policing lead on the National Police Chiefs Council said the organisation fully supported the crackdown and was determined to keep all road users safe.
She said, “4 points and even £150 fine is not much in the context of people taking known risks with other people’s lives or well-being.
“Drivers must continue to be aware not only of the risks posed by being distracted by mobile phones while in control of a car but also the penalties which they will face if they are caught.”
Motoring groups broadly welcomed the news, but some questioned whether the plans would be an effective deterrent. . A consultation will be held in 2016.