USING a mobile phone while at the wheel makes your reactions slower than that of a drink driver, according to new statistics.

At the launch of another purge on drivers using mobiles while at the wheel in South Lakeland and Furness, Cumbria police revealed the startling new information.

The force said studies by the Transport Research Laboratory showed that reaction times among those using a hand held mobile phone while driving were 30 per cent slower than those who were over the drink-drive limit.

Compared with the average driver, reaction times among those using a mobile was 50 per cent slower due to a lack of concentration on the road ahead.

Cumbria Police spokesman Mike Smith said: "National research involving volunteers also found that drivers using hand-held mobile phones took half a second longer to react than the average driver, missed more road signs, and had a poorer control of their vehicle's speed and the ability to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front."

This week, police have been carrying out a campaign involving high-visibility and unmarked police vehicles patrolling roads to identify drivers using mobile phones.

Penalties against motorists using mobile phones while driving can range from a fixed penalty ticket/ £30 fine to an appearance in court.

A forcewide campaign in July last year, resulted in 97 drivers being reported for offences, while one was charged with dangerous driving.

A further nine motorists were given a verbal warning. Sergeant Tim Ward, of South Cumbria Mobile Support Group

at Cumbria Police, is overseeing the campaign.

He said: "A driver must be in a position to have full control of their vehicle at all times. "Using a mobile phone whether hand-held or hands-free will distract a motorist and not give them that full control.

"Our message is clear it is not safe to use a mobile phone while driving. If you must make or receive a call, first find a safe place to stop your vehicle."

April 17, 2003 14:30