- Final warning to motorists who continue to use mobile phones behind the wheel
- Police and Crime Commissioner warns tougher enforcement is on the way
- Tackling mobile phone use behind the wheel is one of the objectives of PCC Martin Surl’s new Police and Crime Plan
- “If people refuse to heed the warnings, it will be backed up by strict enforcement and prosecution”
Motorists who use mobile phones while driving are calling-up trouble, said Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl.
Ahead of a coordinated enforcement campaign involving Gloucestershire Police and the road safety partnership, which is due to begin soon, Mr Surl issued what amounts to a final warning.
He said, “Wherever I go, this is something that people complain about all the time and tackling it is one of the objectives of my new Police and Crime Plan.
“That’s why I will expect the Chief Constable to maintain an effective and efficient enforcement team and focus activity on persistent offenders. I will expect a plan to challenge illegal use of mobile phones and other devices.
“But whilst it is time to get tough with persistent offenders, I also believe in giving people chance to change bad behaviour.
“I would rather tackle this problem through persuasion and education but if people refuse to heed the warnings, it will be backed up by strict enforcement and prosecution “.
