Wokingham Borough Council, along with the emergency services, was seen in force last week (June 1) in Wokingham town centre in a bid to prevent drivers using their mobile phone whilst driving.

The main event in the Market Place involved Wokingham Fire Station’s fire fighters and Wexham Ambulance Station’s crews demonstrating the expertise needed to free a trapped driver from a car following a collision caused by using a phone whilst driving. The council’s road safety team and community wardens distributed leaflets as well as handing out freebies including key rings and hi-vis tabards to the public. Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service, Air Ambulance, and IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) also provided information and advice on the day.

Thames Valley Police issued 10,791 fixed penalty notices for drivers using a mobile phone between May 2010 and April 2011.

From April 2010 to March 2011 in Thames Valley, 5,931 drivers attended a Call Divert Scheme course on the dangers associated with using their phone whilst driving, in place of the £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence.

The road safety event also supported the global ‘UN Decade of Action for Road Safety’ campaign, which aims to save millions of lives by stressing the need to enforce stricter speed limits, mandatory helmet use for two-wheeled vehicles, stricter prevention of drinkdriving and enforcing seat-belt use.

To find out more about road safety please visit the Council's road safety website page.