Drivers are being warned about the potentially life changing consequences of using their mobile phone behind the wheel as part of a new campaign by Safer Roads Greater Manchester.
Distractions can make drivers slower to recognise and react to dangers on the road. Using a mobile phone while driving is a significant cause of road traffic collisions in Greater Manchester, leading to death and life changing injury of drivers, passengers and others.
Between 2014 and 2024*, there were 1,174 incidents where driver distraction was a contributing factor, with 117 serious collisions and 17 resulting in fatalities. These offences are often under-reported, meaning the full extent of the problem is probably worse in Greater Manchester.
Last year a trial of state-of-the-art cameras in the region caught 3,205 people using their phone while driving or not wearing seat belts, with 812 incidents of mobile phone usage recorded over a 51-day period. In some instances, drivers were caught using their phone with passengers in the car.
The trial, carried out by Acusensus and AECOM on behalf of Safer Roads Greater Manchester, was held throughout September and October to gather data to better understand the scale of the issue in Greater Manchester.
Last year Greater Manchester adopted Vision Zero, an ambition to eliminate all traffic fatalities and life changing injuries in the city-region by 2040. In 2023, 45 people lost their lives on our roads and a further 754 people were seriously injured.
Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Highways Network Director, said: “Using mobile phones while driving is a key factor in a number of road traffic collisions in Greater Manchester which have resulted in people being killed or suffering life changing injuries on our roads.
“These images unfortunately show that there are many drivers that seem comfortable putting their own lives, and the lives of their passengers and other road users, in harm’s way. If you use your phone while driving, you are four times more likely to be in a crash, so it’s not worth the risk.
“I hope these images serve as a wake-up call for drivers and passengers on the risks and potential consequences of not driving distracted.”
It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle on the roads in the UK. Even using a hands-free option can incur penalties if your driving is deemed to be dangerous.
Drivers must stay in full control of their vehicles at all times. The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.
You can get six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone when driving. If you get six points within two years of passing your test you will lose your licence.
You can also be taken to court where you can:
be banned from driving or riding
get a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus)
Superintendent Gareth Parkin, of GMP’s Transport Operations Department said: “Whilst our officers are out on patrol we see on far too many occasions the reckless actions drivers take when being distracted by their mobile phone.
“The road requires your full attention and any lapse in concentration, however quick, can lead to catastrophic consequences, not only for yourself and loved ones, but other members of the public who are going about their day unaware of what may happen to them.
“We are constantly trying to send a clear and strong message that if you do take the chance of being on your phone whilst driving you are breaking the law. This means you will receive the relevant punishment when caught, which can include potentially losing your licence, having to pay a large fine and in some cases of causing serious injury having to spend time behind bars meaning it isn’t worth the risk.
“Anyone can report their concerns through the usual methods, but especially through our Operation Snap portal online where we can look to take retrospective action if caught on dashcam or footage from other devices for those who commit offences such as this on a regular basis.”
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, added: “I am regularly contacted by people who feel helpless to what they describe as the plague of people using a mobile phone behind the wheel of their vehicle.
“Witnesses are from all modes, whether that's a bus or tram passenger, pedestrians or cyclists, in slow moving traffic or at higher speeds - more and more people are observing the sheer number of people using their mobile phones whilst driving - and as the images in this campaign show, it's terrifying.
“The GMP Operation Snap portal is the best route for people to report the issues they are witnessing, and it's well worth familiarising yourself with the length of video and types of evidence required. Even if your submission results in an initial warning letter, this alerts the police to that vehicle and owner, which could lead to further action at a later date.
“Everyone has a part to play in making our roads safer, and I hope drivers who currently don't think about their actions when using their device behind the wheel, now think twice and leave the call or text for when their journey is complete."
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