GET OFF the blower! That’s the message from police in Teignbridge to yapping motorists who persist in abusing the rules of the road by talking on mobiles while driving.

Officers were out looking for offenders today (January 23) as part of a week-long blitz across the UK on the growing army of offenders. Motorists caught in the act are currently given three penalty points and a minimum fine of £100.

Under new rules, due in five weeks, transgressors can expect to receive stiffer penalties with six points on their licence and a £200 fine.

A police spokesman warned: ‘These changes will have a significant impact on young motorists who offend. They risk having their licence revoked following a first offence.

‘More experienced drivers also risk going to court if they offend twice, with a possible fine of up to £1,000 and a driving ban of at least six months.’

Insp Peter Thomas from the Alliance Roads Policing Team said: ‘It has been illegal to use a hand-held phone or similar device while driving, or while stationary with the engine running, since December 2003.

‘However, many motorists still fail to understand that it is simply not possible to use a phone and be in proper control of a vehicle at the same time.’ He added: ‘It should be very clear to drivers who take a risk with their own safety and that of other road users by using a mobile device while driving that neither the police nor the public will tolerate such behaviour.

’ A report published by the RAC in September last year that 31 per cent of drivers now admit to using a mobile phone when driving, up from eight per cent in 2014. Inspector Thomas stressed:

‘Drivers need to get the message that using a mobile phone when driving is as unacceptable as drink or drug driving or not wearing a seatbelt.’