The public is being encouraged to snitch on drivers who use their mobile phones while behind the wheel as the police start to crack down on the dangerous habit.
Drivers who are caught using their phones can get six penalty points and a £200 fine or could risk having their licence taken off them completely if they passed their test within the last two years.
Durham Roads and Armed Policing recently launched a campaign to make drivers aware of the dangers of using a mobile phone at the wheel and encouraging people to make a change that could save a life.
As part of the campaign, officers will be deployed on double decker buses and will record offences using specialist equipment.
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Officers will be deployed on double decker buses and will record offences using specialist equipment
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Anyone who is caught breaking the law on camera will then have a fine sent to them in the post.
If the driver challenges the case and takes it to court and loses, they could be banned from driving and get a maximum fine of £1,000 or £2,500 if caught while driving a lorry or bus.
Inspector Kevin Salter, from Durham Roads and Armed Policing, said: “Be in no doubt, you can kill someone by taking your eyes off the road for just a second.
“It is so easy to get distracted, but we would like to remind drivers that the consequences are real and irreversible.
“None of us want to have to deliver another death message to another family whose loved one has died in a collision which could have been avoided.
“Our message is always clear - please, put the phone down while driving.”
Officers are also encouraging bus passengers to share any journey footage they take of drivers breaking the rules.
The footage should clearly show the number plate of the vehicle concerned and it can be uploaded to the Operation Snap portal to support the crackdown on illegal drivers.
The police unit said it will install new stickers containing QR codes to help bus passengers send their footage quickly while on buses in the coming weeks.
The RAC has previously called for stronger punishments for people who use their mobile phones when driving, 17 years after the law was strengthened.
It comes after the organisation found that 25 per cent of drivers across all age groups admit to making or receiving voice calls illegally when driving.
Rod Dennis, road safety spokesperson for the RAC, said too many drivers were putting lives at risk, despite the strengthened punishments.
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The RAC found that 25 per cent of people admit to making or receiving voice calls illegally when driving
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He added: “We suspect the main reason for this is the lack of enforcement which means there is little fear of being caught.
“As it’s impossible to have a police officer on every street corner, we urge more police forces to begin trialling camera-based technology that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law in this way."
