TRAFFIC police have expressed disappointment with the number of motorists caught using mobiles phones during a recent crackdown.

A total of 178 drivers were caught in Hampshire, with 47 of those coming from the force’s northern area, which includes Basingstoke.

Police said excuses offered by drivers included: “I wasn’t talking”, “I didn’t realise I was using it” and “I was looking at the time”.

Sergeant Rob Heard, from Hampshire Constabulary, said: “These results are disappointing, and show that many people still do not understand the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving.

“The majority of the offenders are male and under 40. The results do demonstrate that there’s still work to do to get this serious message across to drivers.

“If you are caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel, you will face prosecution, it’s that simple.”

Drivers who were caught during the campaign, which took place between Monday, October 20 and Sunday, October 26, received points on their licences, as well as a telling off.

Police cited the death of 23-year-old Trinity Taylor in 2006, on the junction 6 M3 slip road at Basingstoke, as an example of the danger of using a mobile phone while driving.

A lorry driver had been playing with his new mobile phone when he crashed into stationary traffic on the slip road, crushing Miss Taylor’s car to half its length.

Sgt Heard added that drivers are four times more likely to crash if they use a mobile phone whilst driving, and reaction times are around 50 per cent slower than normal.