THERE were 133 drivers caught using their mobile phone at the wheel in a single week across West Mercia.

Police say the drivers were stopped as part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council campaign earlier this month.

The crackdown runs until this Sunday and drivers caught using a phone face a £200 fine and six points on their licence.

Drivers caught twice face a lengthy ban - which could also then lead to a £1,000 fine. While new drivers - only on the roads for two years - could have their licence revoked if caught just once.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I am staggered that there are still so many people choosing to ignore this law. We know all too well the dangerous consequences that a lack of concentration for even a split second can have. The use of phones whilst driving is simply not acceptable and, two years after new legislation was introduced, it appears more people need to understand that.

“There is still a lot of work to be done around changing the culture and I will continue to support the police by ensuring they have the resources to make our roads safer. However, this isn’t a problem that can be tackled by the police alone. That is why I will continue to work with our communities to show that this dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Since 2016, there have been four deaths, 15 serious injuries and 54 slight injuries in West Mercia where use of a phone was recorded as a causation factor.