A community police officer has urged drivers to not answer “hands free” phone calls behind the wheel – as it could still lead to a serious accident.

While not illegal, acting sergeant at Chesham Police Station, Roy Evans, said the distraction caused by making a hands free call may result in a crash due to careless driving – which is a criminal offence.

In February Bucks Free Press launched its Hang Up! campaign calling on drivers to stop flouting the law and putting their lives at risk by using their phones behind the wheel.

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The campaign has gathered support from police, MPs and council leaders who have rallied together to support the initiative.

At a meeting of the Chesham Local Area Forum on Wednesday, March 14 sergeant Evans was asked if he “thinks it wise” to use a hands-free device while driving.

He said: “I think from what the experts say, I am far from being an expert, they are saying it is the conversation that you are having that is more the distraction.

“I think you could say that if you had a car accident and you were changing a CD in your CD player, or changing the radio station, you would be submitting the same sort of offence of careless driving as if you had your mobile phone in your hand, because you would be distracted, your eyes off the road.

“Me personally, because if a phone call comes through you are tempted, put it in the glove compartment and that is all I can really advise.”

Drivers using hand-held phones behind the wheel could get six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine, while those who have passed their test in the last two years could lose their licence completely.

The Government website also says police can give three points to motorists who don’t have a full view of the road or proper control of the vehicle.