A CAMPAIGN has been launched to crackdown on motorists using their mobile phones while driving.

Officers from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit will be strictly enforcing the law while educating drivers of the dangers.

And in a bid to get the message across to young motorists they visited Middlesbrough College with a driving simulator to show them what could happen if they are distracted while behind the wheel.

Inspector Mick Robson, from the specialist operations unit, said: “Drivers aged 17-24 years are most at risk of being involved in a crash and with technology such as emails and social networking being readily available on smart phones, as well as texting and making calls, there is more chance that people could be distracted by their mobiles.

“Driving your car requires and deserves your full attention. To do anything other than that puts your life, the lives of any passengers and other road users at risk. You could become involved in a serious or even fatal collision as a result of your lack of appropriate concentration.

“I ask all drivers to switch your phones off or ignore them until you find a safe place to stop where you can return any calls that have been missed. It’s surely better to do that than risk the alternative.”

The event, which was run in partnership with Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland Fire Brigade, is part of National Road Safety Week which starts on Monday.

Andrew Bright of Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “The Brigade attends dozens of road traffic incidents every year and our officers witness the trauma first-hand that casualties go through.

“During National Road Safety Week there will be two main messages we will be aiming to get across to young people. The first one is ‘Don’t let distraction lead to destruction’ which is centred around the use of using mobile phones while driving and the second is ‘Let’s look out for each other’ where the focus will be on pedestrians.”

On Tuesday (May 7) between 10am and 2pm the Brigade will again team up with Cleveland Police and council road safety officers at Cleveland Retail Park, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, where they will be talking to shoppers and giving out advice.