MOTORISTS have been urged not to use phones behind the wheel after it was revealed hundreds were apparently seen doing just that in recent years.
Freedom of Information data published by North Wales Police confirms how many notices of intended prosecution were issued across the force area in the last two years.
In 2023, there were 313 sent out after officers spotted offences and 9 after motorists were captured on camera.
Then, in 2024, 473 were issued after officers saw offences, in addition to 11 where motorists were caught by cameras.
Finally, in 2025 (up to March 7), 80 have been issued after officers saw offences, and three have been issued following camera evidence.
Cllr Arnold Woolley leads Buckley's Community Speedwatch team and is a former Police Senior Superintendent, Force Training Commander and traffic specialist.
He has warned motorists of the consequences of not giving the road their full attention numerous times in the past.
After hearing the FOI data, he told the Leader: "Vehicles nowadays are all too often large, heavy and capable of being very destructive.
"Total concentration on what is in front, behind and beside you is needed.
"If you don't concentrate, you will miss something, and missing something could be fatal to you or other people.
"People don't seem to grasp the seriousness of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle; it's a responsibility, not a joyride.
"Anyone who literally doesn't have two hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road is risking lives.
"We all hope when we get in our vehicles to get from the start to the end of the journey safely.
"The use of a phone could potentially be lethal - it's not on."
Cllr Woolley explained that during the course of carrying out Speedwatch activities at the roadside, he and his team members observe all kinds of behaviours suggestive of motorists being distracted by one thing or another.
"We've seen people with dogs on their laps and their paws on the wheel," he said.
"And we've seen people holding the steering wheel straight with their knees while their hands are doing other things.
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: "Using a mobile phone behind the wheel remains a serious concern to police.
“National statistics suggest that drivers who use mobile phones behind the wheel are four times more likely to be involved in a collision.
“Along with drink/drug driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and driving carelessly, using a mobile phone behind the wheel, whether it be texting, using an app, or making a phone call is classed as one of the ‘Fatal 5’; the 5 most common causes of fatal road traffic collisions.
“The majority, if not all, road users know that it is against the law to use their mobile phone while driving, yet some still decide to do it anyway with many even trying to hide it down by their laps in a bid to avoid being caught.
“There is no excuse. Drivers risk a £200 fixed penalty ticket and 6 penalty points if they use a mobile phone while driving.
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"If the matter is dealt with at court, the penalties can increase with car drivers being fined up to £1,000 and HGV and bus drivers up to £2,500, they may also be disqualified from driving.
“If you are a new driver, and you do receive six points within the first two years of passing your test, then your licence would be revoked by the DVLA.
“Road safety is everybody’s responsibility and we will continue to work with our road safety partners to continue to make it socially unacceptable to use a mobile phone behind the wheel.
"This is not just about the penalties – we also need to remind people that they risk hurting or killing an innocent person on the roads by either checking that text, uploading onto social media or taking that call. Don’t do it – and don’t let others take the risk either.”
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