Force Supports National Campaign Targeting Drivers Who Use Their Phone Behind The Wheel

North Wales Police are supporting a national campaign warning of the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Running between 23rd and 29th of May, officers from the Force’s Roads Policing Unit will use the week-long campaign, being led by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), to raise awareness over mobile phone use whilst driving being one of the ‘Fatal 5’offences. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sergeant Tony Gatley from North Wales Police’ Roads Policing Unit said: “Driving whilst using a mobile phone is a serious concern for police, and a concern that so many drivers continue and choose to risk becoming involved in a serious or fatal road traffic collision. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Even the most experienced or competent of drivers can easily be distracted and a slight lapse in concentration can have devastating consequences. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“No call, text, app or email is that important – they can wait until you’ve stopped driving. During my police career I have seen the fatal consequences of people who have been distracted by using a mobile phone whilst driving on far too many occasions. Make no mistake; there is an absolute danger to sending that text message or checking your social media profile whilst you’re in charge of a vehicle. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He added: “During last year’s all Wales autumn campaign, 59 drivers were dealt with in north Wales for using a mobile phone behind the wheel. This is still 59 people who are endangering their lives and those of other road users.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you are caught using a hand-held phone whilst driving, you can expect anything from three penalty points on your licence and a fine of a £100 to an appearance before court, which, if convicted of driving carelessly or dangerously whilst using a hand-held phone, could result in a disqualification from driving, a large fine and up to two years imprisonment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sergeant Gatley added: “We will continue to work with our partners to drive home the message that no call or text is that important. Please heed the warning.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​