360 People Stopped for Driving While Chatting in UK County

Over 360 fines have been given out in North Worcestershire - a county in the UK's West Midlands - for using mobile phones while driving between the 1st April and 30th September. The fines are for a fixed amount of £60 (US$105) per infraction.

Sergeant Rich Edwards of the North Worcestershire Road Policing Unit said: "Poor driving, which includes mobile phone safety, and seatbelt safety, are among the Seven Deadly Sins - seven keys areas identified by West Mercia Constabulary as significantly increasing the amount of deaths, injuries and collision on the forceÃ's roads.

"To motorists, using a mobile phone while driving or failing to put on their seatbelt may be minor misdemeanours which they have become somewhat blasé about.

"However road safety is an important priority for the police. We are committed to reducing casualties and we make no apologies for enforcing the law.

"Using a mobile phone while driving can cause a momentary lapse of concentration which can have fatal consequences."

Sgt Edwards said there had been 44 people killed or seriously injured on North Worcestershire division between 1st April and 30th September 2008, an increase of two compared to the same period last year.

He said: "A road traffic collision which results in a death or serious injury has a massive and devastating effect on families. Having to deliver the news that a loved one has been killed or badly hurt is a horrible part of the job, and one which all police officers dread. We will do everything we can to reduce these figures, including hitting drivers who persist in breaking the rules where it hurts - in the pocket."

Posted to the site on 16th October 2008