A CAMERA to crack down on drivers using their phones will be trialled near Swindon.

Police in neighbouring counties Thames Valley and Hampshire will be the first the use the new equipment on the A34 which crosses the M4 through Oxfordshire to Hampshire at Junction 13.

When the device, created by technology firm Westcotec, spots a phone being used, it will flash a mobile phone symbol at the vehicle to advise the driver to stop using their mobile phone.

It can also enable police to identify hotspots where mobile phones are frequently used by motorists.

A spokesman for the two forces said: “The technology can detect when Bluetooth is being used but cannot detect if a passenger is using the phone, but the sign will still be activated reminding motorists of the distraction of a mobile phone whilst driving.”

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “Driving and using a handheld phone do not mix, it is an incredibly dangerous and distracting combination.

“We welcome this technology as it will hopefully make drivers think about what they are doing behind the wheel, and encourage some to put down their phones and concentrate fully on driving.

“While it will no doubt be argued that the technology cannot yet definitively detect drivers that are using handheld phones illegally, we are aware of camera equipment being trialled in other countries which can.

“We have made the Department for Transport aware of this.”