It’s not rocket science.  Good drivers are good because they are completely focused on the road. Park up to use your mobile phone

Using a mobile phone whilst driving makes you four times more likely to be in a collision. This is because you are less likely to notice and react to hazards on the roads.

The Open University have created a resource which shows how distractions affect your driving. Click the link here to have a go.

Please follow these tips to be a better driver

– Turn your mobile phone off before you drive and put it out of reach 

– Keep the volume down on your phone and set the music playing before you set off

– Set the sat nav destination before leaving.  Rely more on voice instructions rather than staring at the screen 

– Stop to eat and drink. 

– Park up to check or to use your mobile phone. 

– Talk later.  Save in depth conversations for when the journey is over.

– Passengers  don’t do anything that could distract the driver 

– Tell work, friends and family that you will check your phone regularly, but you will not use your mobile phone to respond to them whilst driving.

– Remember how important you are. Don’t let a text, a status update, a share, a meme be the one thing that could potentially destroy your world (and possibly someone else’s).

The Law

Since 25 March 2022 it is illegal for drivers and those supervising learner drivers to use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving.  This includes illuminating the screen, checking the time, checking notifications; unlocking the device; making, receiving, or rejecting a telephone or internet based call; sending, receiving or uploading oral or written content; sending, receiving or uploading a photo or video; utilising camera, video, or sound recording functionality; drafting any text; accessing any stored data such as documents, books, audio files, photos, videos, films, playlists, notes or messages; accessing an application; accessing the internet

Visit https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law for more information

The partnership is working hard to make using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving as socially unacceptable as drink driving. Warwickshire Police continue to educate and enforce the legislation around mobile phones supported by partners.  The public can play a part too 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.  For more information please visit https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/operation-snap