WE were recently promised tougher action against motorists who use their mobile phones and send text messages while at the wheel.

It is not before time because it is not difficult to spot those flouting the law.

But what about North-East comedian Chubby Brown’s offence of reading a newspaper while driving down the A19 in North Yorkshire?

The comic has developed a huge following for his foul-mouthed, no-holds-barred brand of humour.

But, as our front page headline states, his actions in perusing a copy of The Sun while driving his luxury Lexus on the dual-carriageway simply wasn’t funny.

Indeed, road safety campaigners have condemned him for putting himself and other road users at risk.

And yet, it is hard to escape from the feeling that his punishment is a bit of a joke.

The 69-year-old comedian, whose real name is Royston Vasey, has made a very nice living from showbusiness.

But he was fined just £30 by Northallerton magistrates for having his newspaper spread out across his steering wheel.

Not only that – he was able to plead guilty by post to driving without due care and attention.

After the case, North Yorkshire Police’s mobile safety camera manager Dave Brown stressed that the case proved that mobile cameras were not just about catching speeding motorists. “We have the technology to capture all manner of offences which put road users at risk, “ he said.

The magistrates were, presumably, operating within the limits of their powers.

But if a strong message is to be sent to other drivers about the dangers of not concentrating on the road, surely offenders should face a meaningful penalty and be made to turn up at court.