Phones at the wheel: 'Small fines are not proving to be a deterrent'

DESPITE repeated warnings and a series of high-profile police crackdowns, the use of mobile phones while driving continues to be a serious problem.

An average of eight motorists a day in the Lothians alone are caught by police making calls while behind the wheel. In the past year 2,840 have been fined 60 and had three penalty points added to their licences.

Since tougher legislation was introduced in 2007 banning the practice there has actually been a 47 per cent rise in the numbers being prosecuted.

Although experts agree that using a phone is as dangerous as driving while under the influence of alcohol there is a huge gap in the punishment tariff. Clearly a small fine is not proving to be a serious deterrent to drivers using mobiles.

Today the Evening News reveals the potentially tragic consequences of what clearly many regard as a relatively innocent breach of the law.

The driver of a van who sped along the M8 while making repeated calls is dead after crashing and a young boy is confined to a wheelchair for life with horrific spinal injuries.

A sheriff who conducted a fatal accident inquiry is in no doubt that the driver was distracted while using his mobile phone and that was the primary reason for the accident.

Although driving while using a mobile phone is punishable by a fine of up to 1,000 it is rare to see such a punishment administered.

It has taken society decades to start to get to grip with drink driving, and harsher sentences have been part of that, together with a sea change in cultural attitudes to such dangerous behaviour.

Drivers know that if caught with too much alcohol in their systems they will automatically lose their licence and further down the road they will pay a premium rate for insurance once they are allowed back on the road. If caught twice their cars can now be confiscated and destroyed too.

If we are serious about stamping out the use of mobile phones in cars then we may have to consider introducing similar sanctions for those who are caught.

Sorry tale at Seafield

THE story of the removal of the Seafield Roundabout is a sorry tale of gross incompetence.

That a relatively minor project was delivered so late and at more than twice the original price is inexcusable and merits a full-scale inquiry.

But what must be of more concern is that if the budget on such a simple project can be allowed to spiral out of control what confidence can we have in major projects? Yes, including the trams.