The four police forces in Wales, led by Dyfed-Powys Police and in partnership with Road Safety Wales, are launching a crackdown on motorists who use mobile phones while driving.
The All Wales enforcement campaign will run from today (24 September) until 7 October, and is urging all road users to ‘keep their eyes on the road’ and not be distracted by their mobile phone.
During the 2014 campaign officers detected a total of 914 mobile phone driving offences throughout Wales.
Dyfed-Powys Police issued 447 fixed penalty notices, Gwent Police issued 72 notices, North Wales Police issued 53 TOR’s (Traffic Offence Reports) while in the South Wales area 342 offenders were apprehended.
Police patrols will increase across Wales during the campaign to draw attention to the risks posed by being distracted by a mobile phone while driving, and the penalties drivers face if caught.
Deputy chief constable Carl Langley, National Police Chief Council (NPCC) All Wales lead on roads policing, said: “This campaign is just one part of our ongoing effort to target and reduce the number of drivers who risk becoming involved in a serious or fatal collision due to using a mobile phone while driving.
“With the increased use of smart phones we are also seeing drivers being distracted while accessing their apps, reading their emails or accessing the internet. Drivers need to be aware that these actions carry the same danger and the same penalty.
“Far too many tragedies on our roads are avoidable – our message is simple, keep your eyes on the road.”
Susan Storch, chair of Road Safety Wales, said: “Driving a vehicle requires us to multi-task so anything above and beyond needs to wait until we are safely parked or our journey has finished.
"Campaigns such as this demonstrate the resolve of all Road Safety Wales’ partners in tackling this issue and we will continue to work together to drive home the message of not using your mobile phone behind the wheel. No call or text is that important."
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