ANSWERING that call could cost your life – that was the message from traffic officers out in force to catch drivers using mobiles at the wheel.

To mark the second anniversary of the £800,000 No Excuse road safety campaign, Dorset Road Safe partners were based in 40 locations across the county.

Pat Garrett, head of safety, education and enforcement services and chair of the Dorset Road Safe Tactical Group, said: “Today is about making people aware that using mobile phones at the wheel is illegal and dangerous.

“I think people realise how dangerous it is but unfortunately they find it very difficult to resist answering the phone.

“Unless it’s essential, switch off your mobile when you get in the car or use a hands free device.”

Mr Garrett was based with a road safety officer in a vehicle along the A352 at Winfrith Newburgh where their camera could detect the speeds vehicles were travelling.

Other cameras in the 40 locations were also able to detect if drivers were using mobile phones.

Since its launch on January 18, 2010, No Excuse campaign officers have seen a ten per cent decrease in the number of motoring offences detected.

But the number of drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel has increased by 15 per cent.

Mr Garrett, who warned drivers of the penalties they face if they are caught breaking the law, said: “Drivers that are caught using a mobile phone are evaluated on a set of criteria.

“They will be offered a driver awareness course, be issued with a fixed penalty notice, or they can elect to have a court hearing.

“It’s just not worth it, everybody has hands free now.

“We have vans out on the road every day, seven days a week to catch offending motorists.

“The use of mobile phones while driving is a national issue, but we are continuing to try and lower the number in Dorset.”

Officer-issued tickets for mobile phone offences have increased from 1,190 in 2010 to 1,372 in 2011 and so campaign officers decided to post road safety vehicles in an unprecedented number of locations.

New mobile phone offence pop-up signs were also placed along roadsides in an ongoing effort to remind drivers of the risks.