THE clock is ticking for drivers in Cumbria who use hand held mobile phones while driving.
From Tuesday (February 27) the penalties for drivers caught using a phone at the wheel will rise from a £30 fine to £60. Three points will also be added to an offender's licence.
A case that goes to court could involve longer disqualification and a maximum fine of £1,000 - or £2,500 for a bus, coach or goods vehicle driver.
Road safety campaigners in Cumbria are working hard to drive home the message that hand held mobile phones and driving do not mix.
Government figures for 2004 show that nearly 74,000 fixed penalty notices were issued for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving.
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