Nearly 200 Drivers Nabbed Using Mobiles Behind the Wheel in Just One Week
Almost 200 motorists were caught red-handed using their mobile phones while driving during a week-long crackdown across Hampshire. The Roads 1 Officers from the Joint Operations Unit stopped 190 drivers at the end of last month as part of a nationwide push to make Britain’s roads safer.
Phone Use Behind the Wheel Skyrockets
This total marks a shocking 36% jump from last year, when 141 drivers were caught in the same period. One persistent offender was even nabbed twice—once on the way to a phone awareness course after being caught previously.
Police Call for Tougher Penalties
Road Safety Sergeant Rob Heard slammed the worrying rise. He said:
“These results are disappointing as it shows too many people still do not understand the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving. The majority know they shouldn’t be on their phones, but forget just how distracting it is.
“That’s why we run these campaigns and prosecute those who take the risk. My advice? Turn your phone off, put it out of reach and out of sight. It’s not worth the danger. Distraction is a leading cause of collisions — and using your phone makes you four times more likely to crash because your reaction times slow by around 50%.”
Who’s Getting Caught?
- 83% of those caught were men
- 81% were aged over 25
- 70% were driving cars
- 25% were behind the wheel of vans
- 84% were offered a mobile phone referral course
The crackdown highlights a persistent problem on UK roads, with authorities warning stiffer penalties may be needed to curb this deadly distraction.
