Police operation snares seven rogue motorists

A high profile campaign has been running since the penalty for using a phone while driving was upped to six points and a £200 fine.

But random checkpoints set up in Blackpool revealed drivers are still willing to run the risk – with half a dozen drivers caught in one rush hour crackdown

Six drivers were stopped in the space of two hours on Whitegate Drive.

Another driver was pulled over at a checkpoint in Preston New Road.

The officer in charge of yesterday’s operation and a weekend blitz on the county’s motorways could not believe drivers were still willing to risk their licence.

Sgt Rob Gomery of the West Roads Policing Team said: “It was really disappointing to see people continuing to flout the law and to catch seven drivers in such a short space of time.

“Every motorist that we stopped was aware of the new penalties yet they still chose to take the risk, and at least one of the drivers we stopped already had six penalty points which could mean they now face losing their licence.

“Even careful drivers can be distracted by a call, text or social media message – and a split-second lapse in concentration could result in a crash.

“We don’t want to hand out fines and points, we want people to realise that their actions could have devastating consequences and that they are putting not just themselves, but others safety at risk.

“I would urge anyone getting behind the wheel to think before picking up a mobile phone.”

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