Life could be about to get more awkward for drivers who continue to use their mobile phone at the wheel, despite multiple warnings not to do so,
There are thought to be more than 10 million drivers still flouting the law and putting themselves and other road users at risk by using their phone while driving.
Now police have a new weapon in their efforts to deter people from doing so.
A force is testing a new smart device which can detect when Bluetooth is being used in the car.
Hampshire and Thames Valley police are the first to use the new technology, although, if successful, it could be adopted by other forces across the country.
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When the device, created by technology firm Westcotec, spots a phone being used, it will flash a mobile phone symbol at the vehicle to advise the driver to stop using their device.
It can also enable police to identify hotspots where mobile phones are frequently used by motorists.
A spokesman for the two forces said: “The technology can detect when Bluetooth is being used but cannot detect if a passenger is using the phone, but the sign will still be activated reminding motorists of the distraction of a mobile phone whilst driving.”
The campaign is being supported by Kate Goldsmith, who lost her daughter Aimee Goldsmith after a lorry driver crashed into the car she was a passenger in while he was using his mobile phone to change music whilst driving.
The 11-year-old was killed, along with her stepbrothers Josh Houghton, aged 11, Ethan Houghton, aged 13, and the brothers’ mother Tracey Houghton, aged 45.
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Goldsmith said: “I am supporting this campaign and welcome any technology which can assist in educating people and stop them from using their mobile phones whilst driving.
“My daughter’s death was completely avoidable.
“Please don’t use your mobile phone whilst driving, it’s not worth the risk.”
Pc Liz Johnson, a roads safety officer, said: “Research shows us that you are four times more likely to crash if you are using a mobile phone whilst driving, reaction times are around 50% slower than a driver not using a mobile phone.
“It is also apparent that you are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal collision when texting compared with drink driving.”
The new device will be first used on the A34 in Oxfordshire before being used across the Thames Valley and Hampshire areas.
