Rise in motorists using mobiles

There has been a 25% increase in the number of motorists in Derbyshire caught using a hand-held mobile phone, police figures show.

Fixed-penalty notices were handed out to the 2,258 drivers caught - 459 more than in 2007.

Driving while on a hand-held mobile phone was made illegal in December 2003.

Anyone caught faces a £60 penalty and three penalty points are now added to the driver's licence.

Matthew Pickard, head of road policing for Derbyshire Police, said the message is not getting through to motorists.

"Most people would not drink and drive, they don't seem to understand that using a mobile phone whilst driving has actually the same impact as drinking and driving", he said.

"You are far more dangerous and far more likely to injure yourself and other people."

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