A CRACKDOWN on drivers using their mobile phones behind the wheel has been launched in a region-wide operation to increase road safety.

Officers from Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) completed shifts dedicated to spotting drivers distracted by talking on their phones, texting or checking social media.

Sergeant Mark Sheppard, of Durham Police’s Road Policing Unit (RPU), used an unmarked vehicle to police the streets of Darlington this afternoon with at least seven drivers cautioned over the offence.

The Northern Echo accompanied officers on their patrols.

Two men were involved in separate incidents in North Road within 15 minutes of each other for allegedly using their mobile phones while driving.

Sgt Sheppard said: “The reason I’m out here today is purely for mobile phones because our fatal statistics and accidents are through the roof.

“One of the contributing factors with our fatals is mobile phone use. Not all of them and it’s in the most extreme cases I’m talking about.

“However, more people on their phones are involved in accidents.”

CDSOU announced its regionwide activity would launch on Monday, January 23, after forces in Cleveland and Durham reported 720 offences of drivers using their mobile phones throughout 2016.

A further 67 drivers between January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, were also found to not be in control of their vehicles.

  • See Tuesday's The Northern Echo for a full feature on the campaign