Almost 900 drivers caught using mobiles at the wheel in three years

Almost 900 drivers have been caught using mobiles while driving in Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Of the 2,872 drivers successfully prosecuted here in the past three years, 896 were in the west.

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member Rosemary Barton says the figures are ‘shocking.’

They were delivered in an answer to an Assembly Question by Ulster Unionist colleague Roy Beggs.

Mrs Barton says even though there have been numerous campaigns aimed at tackling the issue of mobile phones being used at the wheel, the fact that over 30% of these convictions have taken place in Fermanagh and Tyrone indicates that there are a large proportion of people are still intent on ignoring this message.

“In fact these statistics also indicate that those using such a device in Fermanagh and Tyrone have a higher risk of being caught.

“More needs to be done to educate every section of our community on the dangers of using your mobile phone whilst driving. It is one of the biggest distractions as a driver and I would hope people begin to consider the consequences of using these devices at the wheel,” she says.

And she adds: “Unfortunately using a mobile phone without a hands free device has been proven to lead to fatalities when driving. I would therefore appeal to anyone using a mobile phone and other hand held devices when driving to think again and wait to the end of your journey to return the unanswered call.”