A LIFESAVING campaign to stop drivers using a mobile phone at the wheel is being launched today.

Anyone in Cheshire caught driving while using mobile phone faces a £200 fine and six penalty points on their license, as well as an increase in their car insurance premium. This could result in the driver losing their licence and even their job.

National figures show drivers who use mobile phones at the wheel are four times more likely to be involved in a collision.

In January 2018 officers stopped 30,001 motorists with 1,997 mobile phone offences detected across the country.

Inspector Darren Owen, of Cheshire Police's Roads Policing Team, said: “Although officers are always on the lookout for drivers using a mobile phone, these campaigns allow us to reinforce the message that using a handheld device is dangerous, completely reckless and dispels the thought that you can’t expect to be caught.

“Checking for a text, or picking up the phone could be enough of a distraction for you to kill someone at the wheel. Having that on your conscience and facing a prison sentence just isn’t worth it.”

The week of action – run jointly by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and Traffic Information Systems for the Police (TISPOL) from September 17-23 – will see officers throughout the county on the lookout for anyone using social media, texting or taking a call while driving.

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Using a mobile phone at the wheel is against the law and is often a contributing factor in road traffic collisions. Checking a text or a social media post could be enough of a distraction for you to cause an accident which could have devastating consequences for other road users or pedestrians.

“Making Cheshire’s roads safer is one of my key priorities as your elected police and crime commissioner and I am pleased that officers from Cheshire Constabulary are doing all they can to clamp down on drivers who use mobile phones to make our roads safer.”

As well as enforcement, the campaign will also focus on educating drivers about the dangers of driving while using a hand held device.

Inspector Owen added: “This operation is not just about issuing tickets, it’s also about educating motorists about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving to help prevent tragedies occurring.

“My advice is if you’re driving a car to pay attention to the road ahead and not your mobile phone. It could be the difference between life and death.”