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Textin and Drivin Can Cause...

A county-wide campaign targeting mobile phone users at the wheel is taking place this week to tackle a rise in the number of motorists caught out using their mobile phones at the wheel.

Fourteen percent more drivers have been issued with fixed penalty tickets for using their mobile phone while driving compared to last year. In response the Essex Casualty Reduction Board (ECRB) is launching a campaign including a hard hitting radio advertisement in which a young man speaks as if writing a text message: “textin when drivin can cause…” and then we hear a CRASH!

Essex Police will also be stepping up their enforcement activities and motorists can expect to see more police checking for mobile phone use than ever before.

The campaign will also consist of an educational event whereby local road safety officers will speak with motorists about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.

You are four times more likely to crash if you use your phone while driving, Department for Transport research shows.

Essex County Councillor Norman Hume, Chairman of Essex Casualty Reduction Board and Cabinet member for Highways and Transportation said: “Over recent months, it has become quite clear an increasing number of motorists are ignoring the dangers and continue to risk their own and other’s safety by texting or phoning at the wheel.

“Breaking the law risks death or serious injury. It also means a fine and three points on your licence. If you are a new driver you only need to be caught twice to lose your licence.

“Mobile phones and driving do not mix. You should never take the risk. The best advice is to switch off before you drive off.”

The penalty for offenders is a £60 fine and three penalty points on your licence. If the case goes to court you can be fined £1,000, or £2,500 if driving a bus, coach or heavy goods vehicle.

You are four times more likely to crash if you use your phone while driving, Department for Transport research shows.

Between 1 Jan and 10 July 2009, Essex Police had issued 5,078 tickets for using a mobile phone while driving, compared with the same period last year, when 4,440 tickets were issued.

Click here to listen to the radio ad
Click here to see the commercial (8mb)