One in five crashescould be caused bymobile phone use

MOTORISTS are being urged to turn off their mobile phones while driving as part of a campaign aimed at making Sussex’s roads safer.

Sussex Police is running a week of operations from today (Monday 18 November) to try to cut the number of crashes caused by drivers being distracted by their handsets.

The campaign coincides with national Road Safety Week, organised by the charity Brake, which this year is focusing on preventing tragedies that happen because motorists try to multitask at the wheel.

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Drivers caught using a and-held phone at the wheel to call or text face a fixed penalty notice of £100 and three points.

Those who cause a crash and kill someone while using a phone face up to 14 years in prison.

Across the country more than half a million drivers have points on their licences for using their mobile phones at the wheel.

Sergeant Stewart Goodwin said: “New research suggests making phone calls using a hands-free device is just as dangerous as holding a phone, because of the driver is distracted by the conversation.

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“Texting, emailing, adjusting sat navs, eating, drinking and smoking at the wheel also distract drivers and make them react slower to events around them.

“That can mean the difference between you braking in time to avoid a collision and hitting a car, a cyclist or a pedestrian.

“No phone call is so important that it is worth taking someone’s life.”

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Improving road safety is one of the biggest issues that residents raise with me.

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“We all have a part to play in raising awareness of driver distractions to help prevent tragedies and make roads in Sussex safer for everyone that uses them.”

It is believed that one in five crashes could be caused by drivers being distracted.