Police to Detect Mobile Phone Driving

Hampshire and Thames Valley police forces to start using a new device designed to detect when motorists are using their mobile phones while driving.

16:12 01 May 2019

A new technology designed to determine how many cars on a stretch of a road have phones being used without hands-free kit will be used by Hampshire and Thames Valley police forces. The device, created by technology firm Westcotec, flashes a mobile phone symbol at a vehicle when it detects a phone being used.

 

A spokesman for the two forces said: "The technology can detect when Bluetooth is being used but cannot detect if a passenger is using the phone, but the sign will still be activated reminding motorists of the distraction of a mobile phone whilst driving."

 

Pc Liz Johnson, a roads safety officer, said: "Research shows us that you are four times more likely to crash if you are using a mobile phone whilst driving, reaction times are around 50% slower than a driver not using a mobile phone.

 

"It is also apparent that you are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal collision when texting compared with drink driving."

 

One of the avid supporters of the scheme is Kate Goldsmith who lost her daughter Aimee after a lorry driver crashed into the car she was a passenger in while he was using his mobile phone whilst driving. Ms Goldsmith said: "I am supporting this campaign and welcome any technology which can assist in educating people and stop them from using their mobile phones whilst driving.

 

"My daughter's death was completely avoidable.

 

"Please don't use your mobile phone whilst driving, it's not worth the risk."