MORE police will be out on patrol next week to stop drivers using their phone behind the wheel.

From Sunday officers will be on the look-out specifically for those making calls, texting or surfing the web while driving a car or riding a motorbike.

Between January and April this year 547 people in Sussex were caught driving while using their mobiles.

Anyone caught faces three penalty points on their licence and a £100 fine. Refusal to do so could result in prosecution, a ban from driving and a £1,000 fine.

If officers can prove someone was driving dangerously while using a phone they could be banned and jailed for up to two years.

Chief inspector Phil Nicholas said: "If you use your phone while you are behind the wheel you deliberately choose not to pay full attention to your driving.

"Studies show that you concentrate less on your driving and your reaction times slow when you are having a conversation on the phone, even if you are using a hands free kit.

"If you go a step further and take your hands off the wheel to text or use the internet, you are not even looking where you are going so cannot possibly be in control of your vehicle.

"If you need to use your phone, pull over and stop. Gambling with safety by using your phone at the wheel could cost you a hefty fine - or could cost someone their life."

Report someone driving while using a phone at operationcrackdown.co.uk Report someone driving dangerously on 999.