Drivers ignore phone driving ban

Police are catching more motorists who continue to flout a ban on using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Figures released to the BBC by forces across the East Midlands show prosecutions have doubled.

The total number fined across Rutland, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire rose to 4,248 this year - from 2,148 last year.

Chief Inspector Paul Berry, of Derbyshire Police, said most people do not see the dangers.

DRIVERS CAUGHT THIS YEAR (LAST YEAR) Derbyshire 966 (436) Leicestershire 872 (532) Lincolnshire 1671 (728) Nottinghamshire 966 (436)

He said: "The vast majority of people basically say: 'I don't see what the problem is - I am perfectly in control of the car'."

But he added: "The reality is that neither did they see the police officer next to them or driving next to them when they were using the phone."

PC Pete Sharpe, of Leicestershire Police, explained he followed a van travelling at 90mph in lane three on the M1.

He said: "We were behind him for well over a mile-and-a-half with blue lights, flashing headlights, two tones (sirens), everything going and only when we finally got past him did we realise that he was on a mobile phone."

Drivers who are pulled over and claim they were not on the phone are asked to produce the mobile.

Officers will then check its call history to look up the time of the last call to prove when it was last used.

People caught using a phone while driving risk a £30 fine following the introduction of a ban two years ago.