pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk

Speed cameras across Kent are to be used to catch motorists using their mobile phone or not wearing seatbelts. The move follows a four-month trial in Medway between November last year and February 2009.

That was regarded as successful in encouraging more motorists to wear their seatbelts, although the impact on mobile phone use was more mixed.

During the trial in Medway, about 100 offences involving mobile phones and seatbelt use were detected on camera each month.

Now county councillors have backed plans by the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership that mean motorists caught by speed cameras across the county without a seatbelt or using a phone will face prosecution.

According to a report on the trial in Medway, about one per cent of all drivers were observed using their mobile phones.

When it came to wearing seatbelts, the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership said about 95 per cent of motorists observed complied with the law in the trial, compared to about 90 per cent before the experiment.

There will be a major publicity drive before the scheme is formally extended across the county.

During a four-day crackdown with Kent Police in February, more than 250 drivers and passengers were detected not wearing seatbelts and nearly 50 drivers were caught using a mobile phone.

A mobile phone offence carries a £60 fine and three points and a seatbelt offence results in a £30 fine. Drivers are fined if children under 14 are not belted up.