WHEN lorry driver Tomasz Kroker was scrolling through his phone he obviously did not quite realise the risk he was creating.

But while he was distracted, he crashed into stationary traffic.

Tracy Houghton, 45, who was in her car in the queue, died instantly along with her sons Ethan, 13, and Joshua, 11, and her partner’s daughter Aimee Goldsmith, also 11.

Kroker had no excuse – and neither do any one of us.

Talking on our phones, texting or, like Kroker, scrolling through music selections, are all inexcusable. When you are in control of a car a split second could cost somebody their life. It could cost you your life too.

Kroker was given a ten-year sentence to ponder his actions. His recklessness changed the lives of the families of those he killed for ever.

When he was jailed in October it was a reminder to everybody across the country.

Surely now more of us would take notice and leave that phone untouched in our bag or glovebox.

You could even turn it off to help you resist temptation. Because it is tempting and so very easy. The roads are quiet, so “I’ll just tell my family I’m on my way” or “I’m late, I’ll just let them know I’m still coming”. Maybe you forgot something at work and you thought it would not hurt to make a quick call.

Sorry, you are wrong. It can hurt a lot.

Just ask the surviving members of Tracy Houghton’s family.

The police are right to go out and target drivers and if you are stopped don’t get angry. Be happy that you are paying a fine and not standing in the dock like Kroker.