Police action against driver distraction

Thames Valley Police (TVP) are carrying out a week of activity targeting drivers using hand-held mobile phones, with the aim of drawing attention to the risks posed by being distracted. The enforcement is running from Monday 22nd January until Sunday 28th January 2018 on roads across Buckinghamshire. Travel Safe Bucks will be at Asda in Cressex on Friday 26th January to mark the week of action, and educate road users on the risks they face when they use their phone at the wheel. 


In March 2017 the law changed to introduce harsher penalties, meaning drivers now receive six points on their driving licence and a £200 fine if caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. These penalties will have a significant impact on young new drivers as they risk having their licence revoked on first offence.

Sergeant Rob Heard, from the Roads Policing Joint Operations Unit for Hampshire and Thames Valley Police, said:

“We are still seeing too many people deciding to take that risk to use their mobile phone whilst driving, whether looking at a text, making and receiving calls or even surfing the internet. I am urging all motorists to not take that risk, a moments inattention can be the difference between life and death.

“My advice is to turn your phone off whilst driving, put it out of reach, and out of view. This way you won't be tempted to look at it and become distracted. It's not worth the risk.”

The Facts:

  • You could face 6 points on your licence and a £200 fine
  • When using a phone while driving your reaction times are around 50% slower
  • By glancing at your phone for just 2.3 seconds while travelling at 30mph you would travel 100 metres without your eyes on the road.
  • It’s still illegal to use a hand held phone even when stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic
  • You’re 4 times more likely to crash if using a mobile while driving

The Consequences:

Ion Calin and his friend and work colleague, Marian Olteanu were killed instantly when a lorry ploughed into their stationary car on the M271 in December 2015. The lorry driver was distracted, using his mobile phone.

Their families’ lives have been devastated by the impact of this lorry driver’s irresponsible and dangerous act. They have bravely shared their story to help raise awareness of the lethal consequence of driving whilst using a mobile phone, with the plea for those that continue to text, surf the web, use apps and more, behind the wheel to stop. Please watch their story. 

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