Avon and Somerset Police catch 81 drivers using phones

Operation Telecom was launched to raise awareness of the dangers when driving distracted

Police spotted 81 motorists using phones illegally during a two-week operation.

Avon and Somerset Police took part in national campaign Operation Telecom, raising awareness of the dangers of driving while distracted.

The incidents were "significantly higher" than the same period last year, when 49 offences were recorded.

Ch Insp Robert Cheeseman said there is an "urgent need" to address "careless and dangerous" driving.

On 5 March, officers assisting at an eight-vehicle collision on the M4 witnessed "numerous" incidents of drivers passing the scene using a handheld device.

Although the use of hands-free devices is legal, the force says they "significantly" raise the likelihood of being involved in a fatal or serious injury collision.

During the operation - between 26 February and 10 March - officers carried out highly-visible patrols, waited at "hotspots" and drove unmarked vehicles in a bid to detect offenders.

'Unacceptable fatalities'

Alongside mobile phone usage, officers also recorded a further 32 traffic offences, including failure to wear a seatbelt and driving at excess speed.

Ch Insp Cheeseman said: "Every life lost on our roads has a profound impact and the statistics we are currently seeing are simply unacceptable."

According to the force, 11 people have died in collisions in its area so far this year.

"The majority of these can be attributed to one or more of the 'Fatal Five': drink and drug driving, excess speed, use of a mobile phone at the wheel, failure to wear a seatbelt, and careless driving," Ch Insp Cheeseman added.

"We can all play our part in shaping attitudes towards road safety and reducing reliance on mobile phones while driving."