The Department of Infrastructure’s road safety team and the police are running a joint initiative to deter the use of hand held mobile phones while driving.
The Pick up your phone - Pick up a fine campaign highlights risks of this dangerous driving offence and the associated financial penalty.
Sergeant Allan Thompson of the roads policing unit said: ‘The constabulary will be supporting this campaign with officers being specifically tasked with observing major routes, working in “spot and stop” pairs. Other more covert schemes will be used to keep drivers thinking about where the police may be.’
Members of the public can download the poster images from the department’s website for displaying on their work place notice board. {http://www.gov.im/categories/travel,-traffic-and-motoring/road-safety/mobile-phones/|Click here}
Recently, a number of drivers have been fined. The campaign will be targeted in areas where there have been reports of drivers using mobile phones when driving.
Laurence Skelly MHK, Minster for Infrastructure, said: ‘There is no excuse for using a hand held mobile when driving, or for stopping at a dangerous location to pick up a call when your phone rings.
‘If you cannot divert your calls to voice mail whilst driving, ensure your bluetooth hands free device is enabled. It is important that motorists remember that it is an offence to use a hand held mobile phone while driving, whether making a call or texting. The penalties can include a fine of up to £2,500 and four penalty points on your licence.’