Drivers hit by phone fines
Motorists caught using their mobile phones across the Black Country and Staffordshire were stung with three points on their licence and beefed-up fines within hours of tough new laws coming into force.
Around 10 drivers were stopped by police in Wolverhampton alone as the points system was introduced and the penalty for offenders yesterday doubled from £30 to £60.
Today, police were continuing the clampdown by targeting drivers on the city's Tettenhall Road.
Paul Wright, aged 37, was one of the first to be stopped in Wolverhampton yesterday afternoon.
The 4x4 driver answered a call from his wife and within seconds he was spotted and pulled over in Park Lane, Fallings Park.
Mr Wright held his hands up straight away before burying his head in them as he realised the error of his ways.
He welcomed the change in the law and admitted he had been "stupid". He said: "I've been bumped in the back by people on their phones.
"Straight away when I saw the police car I thought 'What have I done?' I was talking to my wife. Three points and a £60 fine is better than an accident."
"Sorry to have been any trouble to you," Mr Wright, from Fallings Park, told officers as he walked back to his 4x4.
Sgt Paul Richards, of the Low Hill-based road policing unit, said he was not surprised motorists were still being caught out.
He said: "It just goes to show that a more positive approach is needed such as the three points and a £60 fine because there hasn't really been a deterrent.
"People are quite prepared to pay the fine because it doesn't really affect their licence but with this approach, they can very quickly lose their licence and feel the full weight of the court.
"It does now involve a possible loss of livelihood."
Sgt Jon Jackson, of the Bilston Street road policing unit, said insurance companies would see a mobile phone endorsement as a lack of attention and care on the driver's part.
By Crime Correspondent Mike Woods
