Hands up - why you never need to use your phone while driving again

Police forces this week are cracking down on mobile phone use by drivers in targeted operations to prosecute offenders and drive home the risks and consequences of distraction driving. Operations include: - dedicated patrols by officers using unmarked vans, helmet cams, high-seated vehicles and high vantage points to catch offenders - combined shifts with police officers and paramedics to educate people on the risks, use of variable message signs on prime commuter routes to display 'Leave Your Phone Alone' messages - pilot schemes with community spotters to target repeat offenders - release of powerful social media videos and messages to warn and inform. This is the second national week of action against drivers using mobile phones. The first in May of this year resulted in 2,323 offences detected across the week. Similar campaigns have also targeted mobile phones, including Operation Tramline across 25 forces which targeted HGV drivers and resulted in 1713 offences recorded between April 2015 and July 2016. A recent 2016 annual report on motoring by the RAC suggests the number of motorists who illegally use mobile phones is rising with 31 per cent of motorists admitting to using a handheld phone while driving up from 4 per cent in 2014. 19 per cent say they have sent a message or posted on social media from behind the wheel, indicating that the risks are dangerously underestimated. But it doesn't have to be this way. Why put yourself, and other road users at risk, when you can take advantage of our wide range of hands-free kits to help you keep in touch with family, friends and business clients without falling foul of the law. The police's campaign will begin at 0600 hours on Monday 14 November and conclude 2359 on Sunday 21 November 2016.