Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 14 February 2022

BURBAGE PCSO Darren Stretton has warned parents and carers picking up children from the Burbage Infants School to stay off their phones whilst driving.

He issued the warning in a post for the online Burbage Parish Council newsletter last Friday (11 February).

It comes after he were contacted by concerned residents who had noticed an ‘apparent increase’ in the amount of motorists checking their phones as they are driving outside of the school, located on Grove Road.

The plea from PCSO Stretton, reads: “This isn’t something we should even be having to advise but please do not use mobile phones whilst driving, especially outside schools.

”This includes checking social media, checking messages, answering calls, or generally messing with the phone.

“Put it away to avoid any temptation.”

As a result, the school are to send an email out to parents and carers, reminding them on what the consequences are of being caught on a phone behind the wheel.

If drivers are caught on their handheld devices whilst driving, it can result in six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine.

If they manage to get six points within two years of passing your test, they will lose their licence.

Three penalty points can be given, if drivers don’t have a full view of the road and traffic ahead, or ‘proper’ control of their vehicle.

Having points on a driving licence will result in higher insurance costs.

You can report any instances of anyone using their phones whilst driving to Leicestershire Police through their official force website, linked here.