POLICE have warned motorists against using their mobile phones to take photos of accidents – after several drivers were seen taking images of a serious rush-hour crash this morning (Wednesday, May 15).

Officers issued two traffic offence reports and warned a further three drivers for using their mobile phones while driving past the accident scene on the A690 eastbound, near Durham City.

A 29-year-old man from High Pittington was taken to the Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary with serious leg injuries after his Audi TT collided with a lamppost near the entrance to the Ramside Hall Hotel, at Carrville, at about 7.10am.

Sergeant Jonathan Morgan of Durham Constabulary’s road policing unit said: “We are seeing more and more people at scenes of collisions using their mobile phones either to take photos of the accident or make calls while driving.

“I would like to remind all drivers that as well as it being an offence to use your mobile phone while driving it can be very dangerous to emergency services, contractors, other road users and themselves.

“If you are caught using your mobile you could be issued with a £60 fine and your licence endorsed with three penalty points.

“The fine can rise to £1,000 if the matter goes to court and potentially £2,500 if you were driving a bus, coach or heavy goods vehicle.”

Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit are running a two-week campaign to educate drivers about the dangers of using a mobile while driving.

Nationally, there are around 30 deaths on the roads each year that are linked to mobile phones and it is believed that driver distraction may play a part in 20 to 30 per cent of all road collisions.

Anyone who may have witnessed this morning’s accident should contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.