SOMERSET County Council’s road safety team is working with partners to urge drivers to keep their eyes on the road.

Driving while using a mobile is one of the top five factors in fatal and serious road injuries.

Research has found that drivers who use a mobile phone while driving are:

  • four times more likely to be involved in a collision;
  • two times slower to react if they text and drive than if they drink drive, and this increases to three times slower if they use a handheld phone;
  • less likely to see road signs;
  • take longer to react to hazards;
  • more likely to enter unsafe gaps in traffic.

Using a mobile phone while driving is the focus of a national campaign led by the National Police Chiefs Council during February, which Avon and Somerset Police are supporting, and there will be additional enforcement activity planned from Monday (February 21).

It is recommend that phones are out of the driver’s reach and switched off or on silent while driving as using a hand-held phone behind the wheel can result in six penalty points and up to a £2,500 fine.

You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last two years.

Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for highways said: “Driving is a complex task that requires your full attention, and the consequences of being distracted can be very serious.

“By supporting high-profile national events such as this road safety campaign, the council’s road safety team can help spread the vital message on the dangers of distracted driving and help to keep road users safe. I am very pleased we are working in partnership to get the message about this out across the region.”

If you have video evidence from a dashcam or cycle-cam of someone using a mobile phone at the wheel, it this can be reported to Avon and Somerset Police at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/dashcam.

This work is supported by Avon and Somerset Police, Avon Fire and Rescue Service Bristol City Council, Bath and North Somerset Council, Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, North Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, and National Highways.

Somerset Road Safety provides advice to thousands every year through a number of educational events.