THE Mayor of Wellington said she has been shocked and disappointed to be told that people were still using their mobile phones while driving.

It came after Sgt Dan Bishop told members of Wellington Town Council on Monday – via Zoom video conferencing technology – that the past month had seen officers targeting speeding motorists and those using mobile phones while driving in the area.

“We used our Wellington Neighbourhood Policing Team’s social media Facebook page to highlight the work we carried out and responded to a number of concerns raised by carrying out speed checks in the areas where members of the public told us there was a problem with vehicles travelling at excess speed.”

He explained to councillors that the punishment for driving while using a mobile phone was six penalty points and a fine.

Sgt Bishop said the fines were done on a means-tested basis and could be one week’s wages.

“If you are a high earner that could be a lot of money,” he said. “And if you are a first year driver that could mean an instant disqualification.”

The Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, said she found it ‘crazy’ for people to still be using their mobile phones at the wheel of their cars due to the safety implications but also because of the possible punishments that would be handed out.