POLICE in the region are to take part in a nationally co-ordinated week-long crackdown on the use of mobile phones while driving.

The operation coincides with new penalties for the offence which have now come into force.

Drivers caught using their mobiles will be subject to a £200 fine and six points on their licence – double what was previously imposed.

The law states:

  • It's illegal to use a handheld mobile when driving. This includes using your phone to follow a map, read a text or check social media. This applies even if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.
  • You can only use a handheld phone if you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.
  • If you’re caught using a handheld phone while driving, you’ll get 6 penalty points on your licence and a fine of £200. Points on your licence will result in higher insurance costs.
  • If you get just 6 points in the first two years after passing your test, you will lose your licence.
  • Using hands free (e.g. for navigation) is not illegal. However, if this distracts you and affects your ability to drive safely, you can still be prosecuted by the police.

Cleveland and Durham’s Specialist Operations Unit is among those taking part in the crackdown. It will be its second week of action aimed at tackling the problem this year.

In January it caught 133 motorists using their mobile phones while driving.

Research has found that being distracted by a phone while driving can make a driver up to 25 times more likely to be involved in a collision.

The enforcement campaign runs until next Tuesday.

Inspector Harry Simpson, from the unit, said: “We will have a number of officers dedicated to this campaign across the week, using unmarked as well as marked police cars.

“There are clearly some people who feel the law doesn’t apply to them.

“But they will discover our officers are making this offence a priority and that we have a zero-tolerance approach.”