Police will target drivers using their mobile phones at the wheel as part of a week-long crackdown.

Thames Valley and Hampshire police’s joint roads policing unit started the clamp down yesterday (Monday) with the aim of “drawing attention to the risks posed by being distracted while in control of a vehicle”.

The family of 41-year-old Ion Calin, who was killed after a lorry ploughed into his stationary car on the M271 when the driver was distracted by his mobile phone in December 2015, spoke out as police launched the “week of action”.

Speaking in a video, his wife Veronica said: “For the people who are using a mobile phone while driving, I would tell them not to do so.

“There is no emergency, there is nothing that important that you have to answer that phone call or to check that message on Facebook.

“My children have never experienced loss [before this] and it is horrific. I feel this situation has been devastating for me and my kids.

“All our hopes and plans, they just disappeared.”

Mr Calin and his work colleague Marian Olteanu were killed instantly after a 40-tonne lorry ploughed into the back of their car when they were waiting in rush hour traffic behind two lorries on the M271 in Southampton.

The driver, Keith Mees, from Derbyshire, admitted to using his phone to watch YouTube videos and surf Facebook. A message was believed to have been sent at the moment of impact.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to six years behind bars.

In March 2017 a law change meant that meant drivers now receive six penalty points on their driving licence and receive a £200 fine if they are caught with a phone behind the wheel.

Road Safety Sergeant Chris Appleby said: “Drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a collision whilst using a mobile phone or being distracted in a vehicle and your reactions are 50 per cent slower.

“I am urging all motorists to not take that risk. A moment’s inattention can be the difference between life and death.

“We have all seen the devastation caused by those who take the risks.

“Please think twice before answering a call, looking at a text or browsing your phone – let’s have no more innocent people lose their life.

“My advice is to turn your phone off whilst driving, put it out of reach, and out of view. This way you won't be tempted to look at it and become distracted.

“It’s not worth the risk.”

The crackdown will run until January 28. You can watch the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlW3DhmNeIE&feature=youtu.be.