Keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone

Motorists are reminded not to use their mobile phones while driving or face a minimum £200 fine and six points on their license.

The warning comes as the National Police Chiefs Council launches its mobile phone campaign which will see officers targeting motorists who use handheld devices while driving.

Last year more than 126 motorists were caught using their mobile phone while driving in Bedfordshire. Most offenders were men (107) and over half of all offenders were aged between 22 and 40.

Chief Inspector Steve O’Keeffe, Head of Road Policing Unit (RPU) for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire said: “Using a mobile phone while driving means taking your eyes off the road. That is incredibly dangerous for you and those around you. 

“To avoid being distracted we recommend turning off your phone or putting it on silent and storing it away in the glovebox until you reach your destination.”

People who have passed their driving test within the past two years and are caught using their phone will automatically be disqualified from driving and will need a re-test with the DVLA.

The penalties for using a mobile phone while driving can be higher if a case goes to court.