A crackdown on mobile phone use this week will see police clamping down on motorists who use their phones while driving.

Officers will target drivers who use their devices without a hands-free kit from today (May 23) until Sunday (May 29).

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Sgt Chris Appleby from the joint roads policing department said the offence is one of Thames Valley’s four fatal offences that require “concentrated enforcement action”, adding that drivers who choose to break the law “will be prosecuted”.

He said: "Driving ability is clearly impaired by using a mobile phone.”

"This campaign is another example of the determination and continuous commitment of Thames Valley Police to tackle the illegal use of mobile phone use by drivers in our communities.

"The purpose of the campaign is to draw drivers' attention to not only the risks posed by being distracted by mobile phones while in control of a vehicle, but the serious penalties which they will face if they are caught.”

Motorists can get a £100 fixed penalty notice and three points if caught using a hand-held device while driving or riding.

Other punishments include a day-long course paid for by drivers, or a trip to court where magistrates can fine drivers up to £2,500, give three points and even disqualify drivers.

According to TVP, studies have found that talking on a hand-held mobile phone can impair driving even more than driving above the drink-drive limit.

During 2009 and 2014, national casualty data shows 3,611 reported collisions occurred where at least one driver was using a mobile phone, although, sgt Appleby said this was likely to be “significantly under-recorded”.