Police launch crackdown on drivers using mobile phones after four killed by Hampshire lorry driver

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said a scheme using ‘community spotters’ to target repeat offenders will be piloted during a week-long crackdown.

Police will also use unmarked vans and helmet cameras to try and curb the use of handheld phones at the wheel.

The NPCC said 2,323 offences were discovered during a week of action against drivers using their phones in May.

It comes after Hampshire lorry driver Tomasz Kroker was jailed for 10 years for killing a mother and three children by ploughing into their stationary car while looking at his mobile phone at the wheel.

Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, the NPCC roads policing lead, said: ‘Forces are coming together this week with innovative approaches to catching those driving when distracted and campaign to make drivers think twice about using their mobiles at the wheel.

‘Tackling mobile phone use by drivers requires police enforcement using new technology and tactics to maximise the numbers of people we can stop, combined with strong effective penalties and creative national campaigns to make driving distracted as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.’

A RAC survey found 31% of drivers this year admit using a handheld phone behind the wheel compared with 8% in 2014.

The police campaign will run until Monday morning.

Picture: Dash-cam footage of Tomasz Kroker (Credit: Thames Valley Police)