Police Fine 43 Motorists for Using Mobile Phones While Driving

A sweep by police in Tayside, UK on motorists using mobile phones while driving netted 43 fines on Wednesday. The drivers behaviour was drawn into even sharper focus by the fact that many of the regionÃ's roads were affected by wintry weather conditions at the time.

Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, Head of Road Policing in Tayside said "I never cease to be amazed at the stupidity of some drivers, who continue to ignore the law and more importantly the common sense advice we regularly give to reduce their chances of being involved in a collision. There is simply no way they are able to be in a position to handle their vehicle quite so well when using a mobile phone."

"Drivers must realise that driving requires a great deal of concentration at all times. In the severe weather we have just experienced and when road conditions are at their worst, drivers face even greater challenges and it is crucial that they exclude as many distractions - including using a mobile phone - as possible."

Each of the offenders traced on Wednesday was given a conditional offer of fixed penalty for £60 and a three-point endorsement on their driving licence.

Posted to the site on 5th December 2008