A NEW campaign has been launched today to crackdown on motorist using their phones at the wheel.

The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) has launched the campaign 'It Can Wait' campaign today.

Sussex Police officers are targetting those behind the wheel making calls, send messages, play music and check road conditions.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "It Can Wait aims to remind drivers that nothing is more important than focussing on driving – and driving alone.

"The campaign is urging drivers to place their phone out of reach, or set it to silent, before setting off on a journey to ensure they are not distracted or tempted to pick it up while driving."

Sussex Police will be running two weeks of enforcement from today until Sunday and from March 1st to 7th.

Members of the Fire and Rescue service will also be out in the community raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

Sergeant Philip Badman of Sussex Police's Roads Policing Unit (RPU), explains: "The law states that you can only use a hand-held mobile phone when you are the driver if you need to call 999 or 112.

"Other than that, you can only use a hand-held device if you are safely parked.

"You cannot use it when you are stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.

"These laws are set to keep people safe and alive on the roads.

"Working in RPU, I have seen far too many incidents where drivers were distracted by their phones – and it's not worth it.

"Checking a text seems so insignificant – both at the time, but also once you've crashed, and lives have been changed.”

Currently penalties include a £100 fine and three points on your driving licence.

It is anticipated the penalties will rise to £200 and six points in early March 2017, although this is yet to be confirmed.

Newly qualified drivers who acquire six points on their licence within two years of obtaining it will automatically lose it.

Report other drivers using their mobiles to Operation Crackdown via operationcrackdown.org