Police Crack Down on Mobile Phone Use Behind the Wheel
From Tuesday 15 February to Thursday 17 February, cops hit key strategic roads across Oxfordshire, Hampshire, and Berkshire with a crackdown on drivers caught using their mobile phones while driving.
Stagecoach Bus Used to Spot Guilty Drivers
Using a Stagecoach-donated bus as a covert lookout, officers monitored motorists closely. If a driver was seen fiddling with their phone or driving recklessly, police nearby were radioed to pull them over immediately.
Shock Numbers Caught Over Three Days
- Tuesday: On the A40 and A34 around Oxford, 10 drivers were stopped for mobile phone use and 4 for poor vehicle control.
- Wednesday: Along the A34, A303, M27, M3, and A31, police stopped 10 drivers for mobile use, 3 for insecure loads, and 2 for loss of control.
- Thursday: 14 motorists were nabbed for phone use, 6 for insecure loads, and 3 for poor control.
Sergeant’s Warning: Mobile Use Quadruples Crash Risk
“While most drivers stay safe, a worrying few are still risking lives by using their phones on the road,” said Sergeant Dave Hazlett of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit. “Research shows you’re four times more likely to crash and less likely to spot hazards when distracted by your mobile device.”
He added a thank you to Stagecoach and National Highways for backing the operation, which aims to keep UK roads safer for everyone.
