Police disappointed by mobile phone crackdown numbers in Highlands
Police in the Highlands and Islands have expressed disappointment after 31 motorists were caught using a mobile device whilst driving and 21 were caught not wearing a seatbelt.
Officers across the force took part in a 24 hour enforcement on Monday following concerns raised at the last Northern Joint Police Board meetingover motorists using mobile phones whilst driving.
Despite extensive publicity in the run up to the campaign, drivers still failed to adhere to the law.
The use of mobile hand held devices whilst driving now carries a £60 fine and is endorsable on people's licences.
Acting Inspector Norman MacLeod, from the force's road policing unit, said: "The campaign was highly publicised and as such the results are disappointing. There is no excuse for those drivers who were caught using a mobile device whilst driving.
"This campaign is a reminder to all drivers that using hand held devices whilst behind the wheel is dangerous and puts not only the driver at risk, but other road users and pedestrians.
"The public highlight these issues to us on a daily basis and are clearly concerned with drivers who continue to break the law in relation to mobile phones. We will continue to enforce the law in relation to these offences on a daily basis."
Acting Inspector MacLeod added: "It was also disappointing that we also detected 21 motorists who failed to wear a seatbelt during the campaign. This is even more inexcusable given the fact that it has been a legal requirement for drivers to wear seatbelts since 1983 and they represent one of the most important safety features within any vehicle."
