Norfolk Detect Drivers using Mobiles

Norfolk County Council trials mobile phone detection technology to improve road safety.

11:09 12 July 2018

Norfolk County Council is the first local authority to use a new system designed to identify mobile phone use while driving. The scheme is part of the council’s efforts to further improve road safety.  

 

Margaret Dewsbury, chairman of the council’s communities committee, said: ‘Using a mobile phone whilst driving is an enormous distraction and apart from being illegal puts the lives of the driver, passengers and pedestrians at risk,’ 

 

Diane Steiner, deputy director of Public Health, added: ‘Our priority in public health is to make Norfolk a healthy and safe place to live and the new technology enables us to provide a reminder to drivers who may be using their handset whilst driving.

 

‘Whilst this is still not a perfect science, the new generation of sign is significantly more accurate and reliable than the first.’

 

The system, which was developed by Norfolk company Westcotec, urges motorists using the phone while driving to hang up. There is currently no facility to record specific number plates but the council is considering its development in the near future.