Chiswick Motorists Face Prosecution For Using Mobile Phones While Driving

Local crackdown found 12 drivers at fault in Bath Road in a three-hour period

Car being towed away on Bath Road for being uninsured

Police have swooped on people in Chiswick using mobile phones while driving, as part of a nationwide crackdown this week. And while officers stopped a dozen drivers in Bath Road they also discovered three vehicles were uninsured. They were confiscated and towed away.

Officers from the Chiswick Neighbourhood teams as well as officers from the Safer transport team and traffic command set up various locations across the three Chiswick wards.

In Bath Road, yesterday within a three hour period, 12 drivers were caught using their phones whilst on the move. They are all now facing prosecution for this offence, which carries a fine and points on their driver's licence.The operation is to highlight the problem with drivers being distracted by using their phones.

Chiswick Police Inspector Steve Edwards said :"November has historically seen a high level of 'Killed or Seriously Injured' collisions and distractions, notably with mobile phones, are a key contributing factor. The devastation caused by these collisions to people, families and communities can not be underestimated and this operation is all about highlighting the dangers and consequences of drivers allowing themselves to be distracted. .

He said the operation is continuing throughout the week and will be at various locations."The message we are giving is clear, do not use a mobile phone whilst driving! "

The move follows government plans to double fines and points for using a mobile while driving.
The National Police Chiefs' Council said the campaign aims "to make 'driving distracted' as socially unacceptable as drink driving". It comes after an RAC survey in September suggested the number of motorists illegally using mobile phones while at the wheel was rising.

Of the motorists asked, 31% said they had used a handheld phone behind the wheel compared with 8% in 2014. The officers on the dedicated patrols will be using unmarked vans, helmet cams, high-seated vehicles and high vantage points to catch offenders, the police said.

There will also be social media videos and messages, schemes enabling "community spotters" to target repeat offenders, and messages which will be displayed on commuter routes telling motorists to leave their phones alone.

November 17, 2016