During just one week 21-27 February 2022 officers have issued 16 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) to drivers for using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving and 2 TOR’s for driving whilst not being in proper control of their vehicle.  A further driver was given advice by an officer regarding their use of a mobile phone whilst driving.   Officers are always on the look out for drivers using mobile phones – during 2021, 348 drivers received fixed penalty notices for driving whilst using a mobile phone in Warwickshire.

During the week, enforcement operations to tackle mobile phone use by drivers were carried out across the county.

On 23 Feb, Bedworth officers conducted a pre planned operation to target the use of mobile phones in the Nuneaton area between 0800-0900hrs.  Two TORs were issued – one on Weddington Road and one on the Longshoot for using a mobile phone whilst driving. Enforcement was also carried out along Eastboro Way.

During the week, officers issued the male driver of a 5 ton car transporter driving between J2-3 of the M6 with a TOR for not being in proper control of his vehicle and for using a mobile phone whilst driving.  Officers can also refer the case to the Traffic Commissioner who is responsible for licencing the operators of HGVs and has extra powers to use against drivers.

This was not the only driver police witnessed using a mobile phone whilst driving at high speed on a motorway.

Officers patrolling the M6 southbound J2-1 stopped a Mercedes van and issued a TOR to the male driver for driving without a licence, no insurance and for using a mobile phone whilst driving. The vehicle was seized as it had been reported stolen.

The enforcement action was part of a national focus aimed at reducing death and injury on our roads.

Sgt Shaun Bridle said “Stopping drivers from using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving is high up on our priorities because as well as being illegal it is one of the top 4 causes of death and injury on our roads alongside not wearing a seatbelt, drink and drug driving and speeding.  It is essential that you keep your full attention on the road for your own safety, the safety of your passengers and the safety of other road users. “

In 2021, officers attended three serious and one fatal collision where using a mobile phone whilst driving was a contributory factor.

It’s not just our officers who have been spotting and reporting drivers using their mobile phone whilst driving.  Members of the public have too.  This is because almost a third of Britain’s 40 million drivers – roughly 13 million people – say that handheld mobile phone use by other drivers is one of their top concerns according to the RAC 2020 Report on Motoring.

The following incidents were reported to Warwickshire Police by members of the public via Op Snap using dashcam footage or mobile footage.

Being fined shouldn’t be taken lightly.   Drivers using a mobile phone whilst driving could face 6 points and a £200 fine. If you are caught twice for using a mobile phone whilst driving you could accumulate 12 points which would mean you would lose your licence.  This could affect your job, your home life and your relationship.

Even if a driver is using a mobile phone or other device legally, if you are not in proper control of your vehicle you could face 3 points and £100 fine.

About Op Snap

The public can play a part in improving road safety by using Op Snap to report and submit digital footage showing potential moving traffic offences such as using a mobile phone while driving to Warwickshire Police where the evidence will be reviewed by one of our road traffic police officers. Your footage may also be used to help educate other road users. For more information please visit https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/operation-snap

Mobile Phone Offences detected between 21-27 Feb 2022

• patrols in a marked vehicle issued a TOR to a male driver on the M40 who was seen holding a mobile phone in his hand reading from the screen whilst driving
• a male driver on the A46 received a TOR for not being in proper control of his vehicle as he was using his mobile to link to the vehicle’s sat nav
• the male driver of an HGV in Walsingham Drive, Nuneaton was seen using his mobile whilst driving – it fell off the dashboard as he was observed.
• in Kenilworth Road, Leamington the female driver of a VW Tiguan received a TOR for using a mobile phone in her right hand while driving
• marked patrols carried out static observation of drivers on the M6 j3 and A446 – nothing to report
• a TOR was issued to a male driver in a works van on the A46 for holding his mobile phone in his right hand.
• On 23 Feb, Bedworth officers conducted a pre planned operation to target the use of mobile phones in the Nuneaton area between 0800-0900hrs.  Two TORs were issued – one on Weddington Road and one on the Longshoot for using a mobile phone whilst driving. Enforcement was also carried out along Eastboro Way.
• a further enforcement operation was conducted in Nuneaton between 1500-1600hrs
• a TOR was issued to a male driver on Murray Road, Rugby who was using a mobile phone on his lap to access maps as he was lost
• Officers carried out a static observation on the A46 Marroway between 1200-1300hours, Traffic was light and no offences were detected.
• Road Policing Officers issued two Traffic Offence Reports and one driver was given words of advice during patrols on the A446, M40 and M6
• officers issued the male driver of a 5 ton car transporter driving between J2-3 of the M6 with a TOR for not being in proper control of his vehicle and for using a mobile phone whilst driving.
• two drivers received TORs on the A426 for using a mobile phone whilst driving – one on the A426 The Gibbet roundabout / A5 and the second on the A426 Leicester Road Rugby