NEW road safety measures were unveiled in the region yesterday - with tougher penalties for using mobile phones behind the wheel.

The publication of the Government's Road Safety Bill is aimed at tackling drink driving and clamping down on the menace of uninsured and irresponsible driving.

It comes a year after the banning of mobile phones while driving. Since the legislation, more than 2,000 fixed penalty notices have been issued by the three police forces in the North-East to people using their mobiles while driving.

Fines have also been given to drivers supervising learner drivers - sitting in the passenger seat while using their mobile phone, as they are still deemed to be "in control" of the car.

The dangers of people using mobile phones was highlighted at the launch by Gill Davies, whose husband, Derek, was killed in an accident in County Durham when the other driver was using his mobile phone.

Mrs Davies, who joined Roads Minister David Jamieson in Newcastle yesterday, said: "The use of mobile phones while driving is a potential hazard and is a very selfish attitude which can result in someone's death.

"I say this from a personal point of view as my husband was killed in such circumstances last year.

"If someone is driving alone, for their own and other people's safety, they should pull over and stop before using their mobile phone and then only in extreme emergencies.

"The safest answer would, of course, be to switch it off at the start of their journey and only switch it back on when they arrive at their destination."