WHILST driving my daughters (all under five) home from pre-school, we watched a man (mid-20s at a guess) holding an iPhone to his right ear, talking in an animated way, and gesticulating wildly. He was the driver of the vehicle and travelling in excess of 50 mph.

Keeping a 'safe' distance from him, we watched in horror, as he negotiated two roundabouts, overtook three other vehicles, undertook a motorcyclist and shot through an amber light.

We then found ourselves beside him in dual lanes. What happened next, I can only describe as petrifying.

A car pulled out from a side road, which the motorist in question did not see straight away. This caused him to swerve wildly into my lane. He didn't see me either. Fortunately, I was paying attention, but even so ended up on the central reservation.

Our children are so very precious to my husband and me. They are dearly loved by us, their grandparents and their friends. They inspire us, they encourage us, they give us a reason to work and succeed.

The motorist I encountered today was gambling with their lives, and for what I find myself wondering?

For dinner reservations? For the football score? For a 'I'm sorry, I am going to be late' message?' For 'Put the kettle on?' For a 'You never guess what happened?'

It has been several hours since the incident and I cannot come up with one good reason for risking my children's lives.

To the motorist I encountered today and to any others that think it is acceptable to drive with one hand whilst making a phone call, please consider the following: You may have arrived home safely with no harm done today, but on another day it might be a different story. How hard would you find it to live with yourself knowing that your impatience resulted in the demise of another human being?

When I tuck my daughters into their beds this evening, I am going to feel even more grateful than usual for the blessing that they are in my life. I am also going to feel extremely grateful that today didn't end in tragedy.

Every decision comes with a consequence. If you chose to use your phone whilst driving, you are choosing to endanger those around you and choosing any subsequent consequence.

DENEEN KENCHINGTON, St Thomas’s Close, Bournemouth