Northgate Councillor welcomes tougher measures against drivers using mobile phones

6.37.39pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 2nd Mar 2007

Linda Sekings - "The answer is really in the driver's hands - when you get in your car put your seat belt on and turn your mobile off."

Northgate Councillor Linda Seekings has welcomed the introduction of the tougher measures introduced this week against motorists who use hand-held mobile phones while driving. Linda said "Anybody who drives has an incident they can recall of a driver using a mobile phone when on the move and causing problems for other road users."

Continuing Linda said "The answer is really in the driver's hands - when you get in your car put your seat belt on and turn your mobile off."

"If the Government is serious about taking a tougher line, then we need more traffic police. Only 1% of those breaking the law are currently being caught - this is unacceptable and has to change. Relying on cameras or vigilant citizens to enforce the rules is not realistic."

Concluding Linda said "It is vital that cases are prosecuted as careless or dangerous driving. Just a few points on your licence is not an adequate punishment or deterrent."