Mobile Phone Campaign 2010
Drivers told to ‘zip it’ when behind the wheel
With around five hundred more drivers in the county being prosecuted last year for using their mobile phones whilst driving than in 2008, Norfolk drivers are being told to zip it when behind the wheel.
A month-long Think! Norfolk advertising campaign begins from Monday (January 25 2010), with Norfolk Constabulary warning drivers that if they are caught using a mobile phone whilst driving they will be given a £60 fixed penalty notice and have their licence endorsed with 3 penalty points.
This fine can also rise to £1000 if taken to court and £2500 if driving a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle.
2537 drivers were prosecuted in Norfolk for using their mobile phone whilst driving in 2009 - an increase of nearly 500 drivers from the 2042 prosecuted during 2008.
The radio, press and petrol station forecourt advertising campaign tells drivers to 'zip it behind the wheel' and that 'distracted drivers cause destruction.
Guy McCurley, Chairman of the Think! Norfolk Partnership, said:
"Research done by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states that drivers are four times more likely to crash when using their mobile phone whilst driving.
"Despite this, and increased penalties if caught, there are still drivers who are being distracted by their mobile phones - risking their lives and lives of others.
"Would the person you are contacting want you to be in danger? Do your passengers, perhaps your children in the back, deserve to be put at risk? Don't let mobile phone use harm you or allow you to hurt others on Norfolk's roads."
Inspector Russell Hickford, Norfolk Constabulary, underlined the necessity for the enforcement campaign saying:
"Any distraction from the concentration needed for driving is unacceptable. Even hands free equipment can cause drivers to lose their full focus from the road ahead. During this campaign and throughout the year, Norfolk Constabulary Officers will deal robustly with anyone who fails to have proper control of their vehicle."
- To see the latest materials from our Zip It campaign please see the downloads section to the top right of the page.
