10,000 Drivers In Mobile Phone Blitz

Dec 2 2007

NEARLY 10,000 fines have been handed out to drivers using mobile phones since new laws came in this year.

Figures revealed yesterday show 9574 fixed penalty notices were given out by five of Scotland's police forces between February and the end of October.

That reveals more than 1000 people a month were penalised with a £60 fine and three points.

Police warn too many drivers are still using their phones.

Tayside Police chief constable John Vine, the country's road policing supremo, vowed they will be caught.

He added: "I do not accept people are oblivious to the law.

"It is common knowledge that you must not use a mobile phone, so when we trace offenders we can only assume they either didn't expect to be caught or didn't care.

"The legislation exists for a good reason - driving while using a mobile is dangerous."

Strathclyde handed out 5043 fines, Lothian and Borders gave out 2052, Tayside 1056, Central Scotland Police 1037 and Fife 386.

Data from the other forces is not yet available.

In 2005, 13 deaths and 400 injuries were blamed on drivers using hand-held mobile phones.