MP Calls for More Action on Mobile Phones

Neil Gerrard, Labour MP for Walthamstow, is calling for more to be done to clamp down on motorists who use mobile phones when they are driving. “Even though the penalties for using a mobile while driving have been increased far too many drivers are ignoring the ban” says Mr Gerrard. “Research shows that drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a crash if they use their mobiles”.

“People need to realise just how irresponsible it is to commit this offence. They are putting the lives of others at risk as well as their own. It is obvious that the warnings so far have not worked. I believe that we need a much more aggressive publicity campaign and I also want to see the Police really clamping down on those who ignore the law and persist in talking on their mobiles while they drive”.

Mr Gerrard is one of the sponsors of a House of Commons motion on the subject, and is asking as many other MPs as possible to sign up to the motion to highlight the problems and to demand more action.

The full text of the motion is as follows:

That this House condemns the many motorists who still use their mobile telephones whilst driving; welcomes the fact that penalties for using a telephone in this way have been increased; notes that research shows drivers are four times more likely to have a crash if using a mobile telephone whilst driving; further notes that in spite of all the warnings drivers still use their telephones when driving and in doing so put lives at risk by their irresponsible behaviour; urges the police to clamp down on this type of offence; calls for statistics to be made available on how many people are charged each year for committing this offence; and further calls for a publicity campaign to highlight the dangers of people who use their mobile telephones whilst driving.

June 2007

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