Four drivers are due to appear before magistrates as the first to be taken to court for using their mobile phones at the wheel.
Two of the drivers from Peacehaven were stopped near their home, a woman was stopped in Rottingdean and another driver in Lewes, Sussex Police said today (Tuesday 1 March).
The force said: “Four drivers are to appear at court after being the first in Sussex to be prosecuted for using a mobile phone while driving since new penalties were introduced.
“From (Wednesday) 1 March drivers caught using a mobile phone when driving will receive six penalty points on their licence as well as a fine.
“Two drivers were stopped in South Coast Road, in Peacehaven, on Thursday 2 March.
“Adrian Stroe, 32, of South Coast Road, Peacehaven, was stopped after he was seen with his phone in his hand as he used it as a sat nav. Mr Stroe will appear at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on (Tuesday) 21 March.
“Police also stopped Todor Todorov, 38, of South Coast Road, Peacehaven, who, as well as using his phone, was found to be driving without insurance. He will appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on (Friday) 24 March.
“On the same day officers stopped Barbara Hill, 70, of Evelyn Road, Richmond, in Surrey, after she was seen using her mobile phone as she drove along Falmer Road, Rottingdean. Ms Hill will appear at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on (Tuesday) 21 March.
“On Friday 3 March officers stopped Sergio Gordon Watson, 50, of The Old Racecourse, Lewes, as he used his phone while driving along Malling Hill, in Lewes. Mr Gordon Watson will appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on (Friday) 24 March.”
Sergeant Phil Badman, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “It is extremely disappointing to see that people are still taking the risk of using their mobile phone while driving.
“They are not only putting themselves at risk but also the lives of other road users and pedestrians.
“There is no typical offender for this crime type as these stops show, with people of all ages committing offences.
“I would like to remind all drivers that no call is so important that it can’t wait until you’ve reached your destination and that if you’re using your phone as a sat nav, it should be set before you begin your journey.”
