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Police crackdown on use of mobiles when driving Police crackdown on use of mobiles when driving
(about 1 hour later)
Police in England and Wales are conducting a week-long crackdown on motorists who use their mobile phones while driving.Police in England and Wales are conducting a week-long crackdown on motorists who use their mobile phones while driving.
The operations will include dedicated patrols and messages on road signs.The operations will include dedicated patrols and messages on road signs.
The move follows government plans to double fines and points for using a mobile while driving.The move follows government plans to double fines and points for using a mobile while driving.
The National Police Chiefs' Council said the campaign aims "to make 'driving distracted' as socially unacceptable as drink driving".The National Police Chiefs' Council said the campaign aims "to make 'driving distracted' as socially unacceptable as drink driving".
The national week of action comes after a previous one in May, which the police said resulted in the detection of 2,323 offences across the week.The national week of action comes after a previous one in May, which the police said resulted in the detection of 2,323 offences across the week.
It comes after an RAC survey in September suggested the number of motorists illegally using mobile phones while at the wheel was rising.It comes after an RAC survey in September suggested the number of motorists illegally using mobile phones while at the wheel was rising.
Of the motorists asked, 31% said they had used a handheld phone behind the wheel compared with 8% in 2014.Of the motorists asked, 31% said they had used a handheld phone behind the wheel compared with 8% in 2014.
'Innovative approaches''Innovative approaches'
As part of the latest campaign week, police officers will work together with paramedics to educate the public on the risks of using phones while driving.As part of the latest campaign week, police officers will work together with paramedics to educate the public on the risks of using phones while driving.
The officers on the dedicated patrols will be using unmarked vans, helmet cams, high-seated vehicles and high vantage points to catch offenders, the police said.The officers on the dedicated patrols will be using unmarked vans, helmet cams, high-seated vehicles and high vantage points to catch offenders, the police said.
There will also be social media videos and messages, schemes enabling "community spotters" to target repeat offenders, and messages which will be displayed on commuter routes telling motorists to leave their phones alone.There will also be social media videos and messages, schemes enabling "community spotters" to target repeat offenders, and messages which will be displayed on commuter routes telling motorists to leave their phones alone.
Chief Constable Suzette Davenport from the NPCC said tackling mobile phone use by drivers needed "innovative approaches".Chief Constable Suzette Davenport from the NPCC said tackling mobile phone use by drivers needed "innovative approaches".
"When you're getting in your car, remember don't put others at risk - keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.""When you're getting in your car, remember don't put others at risk - keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel."
Police should target the persistent offenders just like any other crime, AA president Edmund King told BBC Radio 5 live.
Drivers are "addicted" to their phones and there are lessons to be learnt from drink-driving and seatbelt campaigns, he said.
Mr King added it was crucial to have enforcement behind any "hard-hitting" campaign.