MOTORISTS in Gloucestershire are being reminded to hang up before driving off.

The Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) has begun 2012 with a reminder about the dangers of using a mobile phone when driving.

In 2011, Gloucestershire Police issued 1,196 tickets to people for using a mobile phone whilst driving.

In a campaign, called Death Calling, the partnership is encouraging drivers to switch off their phones before driving, and to never answer the phone, make a call or read a text message whilst driving.

According to the partnership using a mobile phone makes a person four times more likely to crash.

Garry Handley, driver training manager for the GRSP, said: "When you are focusing on several tasks at once, such as answering your mobile phone and driving, you can miss the most obvious things in front of you.

"This is why you are four times more likely to crash when talking on your mobile phone. "Using hands-free equipment is also likely to distract your attention from driving, so the best advice from the Road Safety Partnership is not to use any telephone while you are driving or riding – turn it off before you turn the engine on."

Inspector Jason Keates, road policing and traffic management, said it has been illegal to use a hand held phone while driving for almost 10 years, and being caught doing so can lead to a £60 fine and three penalty points.

He added: "Please remember that the fine for using a mobile phone when driving can be much higher than you think and prison becomes almost certain if a death is caused, so you tell me what call could possibly be worth the risk?"