MORE than one in 10 motorists have been seen using a phone and even texting at the wheel.
Calderdale Council’s road safety team has been spotting people who were driving while using a mobile phone.
A roadside count found 12 in every 100 drivers doing so, far worse than a similar count in 2006 when five in 100 drivers were using their phones.
The team is launching a road safety campaign to cut the number of people putting themselves and others at risk.
Posters will be appearing on buses, petrol pumps and at bus shelters across the district with a hard-hitting image about the dangers of being distracted.
Motorists caught using their phones can receive a fine of between £60 or £1,000.
Kate Marsh, deputy road safety officer, said: “For those driving at 30mph, for every second they take their eyes off the road their car will travel around 44ft. So imagine how many seconds a driver is distracted when tapping out a text message.
“Drivers are not the only group who are putting themselves at risk while using a mobile phone – how many times do you see pedestrians oblivious to the road while they chat or text?”
