Justin Raises Awareness Of Tougher Penalties For Using A Mobile Phone While Driving

The Orbital Shopping Park was host to the Swindon and Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership on Monday as they ran a campaign to make people aware of the changes in legislation relating to the offence of using a mobile phone whilst driving.

The changes come into effect from March 1^st and the team were letting people know of the increased punishment to 6 penalty points and a fine of £200. This is an increase from the original 3 points and a £100 fine.

Justin Tomlinson MP, who has previously campaigned on road safety commented, “I very much welcome the increased punishment for using a mobile phone whilst driving as this offence already causes unnecessary misery and destruction on our roads. It was fantastic to see the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership out in force today raising awareness of the change and also providing a simulation to allow people to see just how dangerous using a mobile phone whilst driving is. Thankfully the weather didn’t put them off today and thanks to the Orbital for allowing the event to take place.”

Jane Deeley, Road Safety Officer at Swindon Borough Council, said: "Whilst the aim of today’s event is to draw attention to changes in the legal penalties for using a mobile phone whilst driving, we’d like to remind drivers that ultimately, being distracted from control of your vehicle could make you responsible for causing life-changing injuries or death. Taking ‘just a few seconds’ to reply to a message while driving at 50mph will mean you are effectively travelling blind for the length of a football pitch. It’s not worth the risk – put your phone away, out of sight and reach whenever you are driving."

Jamie Turner, Site Manager at the Orbital said: “We were more than happy to host today's event in creating awareness of the law change on Wednesday 1st March. This is the second campaign we have worked on with Jane and the council to help create better awareness for our customers who drive. If it helps save just one life, then it’s been a success.”