Mobile menace

As a Londoner I was pleased to see the introduction of harsher penalties for drivers using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

Too often we have seen the devastating effects of such careless acts on our roads – and with latest figures showing 9,560 mobile phone offences in our city since April, it is clear something radical was needed.

New drivers face having their licenses confiscated if they are caught within two years of passing their test – but why should older drivers get away with points and a fine?

If we are serious about tackling this growing problem we must treat it like drink driving and ban anyone caught using their phones. That would be a real deterrent.

Keith Prince, Conservative London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge