A POLICE boss is calling for a new crackdown on motorists in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd who use their mobile phones and smart devices when driving.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has pledged to make road safety a priority in his Police and Crime Plan which will set out a blueprint for policing the region.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector from Harlech, says using a mobile or smart device was one of the ‘fatal five’ factors when people were killed or seriously injured on the roads, the others being speeding, being under the influence of drink or drugs, dangerous or careless driving and not wearing a seat belt.

Drivers caught used a hand held device when driving can expect anything from three penalty points on their licence and a fine of up to £100. If the case goes to court the maximum fine increases to £1,000 and it can result in a disqualification from driving.

Causing death by dangerous driving can lead to a prison sentence of up to 14 years and a disqualification for a minimum of two years.

Mr Jones said: “Using a mobile phone whilst driving is one of the fatal five offences and I think it’s a big part of accidents.

“It’s as dangerous as speeding in causing accidents and, of course, part of my brief is to reduce the amount of people who are injured or killed in accidents and I like to see more being done about the use of mobile phones.

“If people were dying because of another type of crime, there would be much more resources going into it than goes into roads policing.”

Read the full story in this Thursday’s Cambrian News