Police are being armed with Bluetooth gadgets that can sense when drivers are using their phone at the wheel

• Gadget police have been issued with uses sensors to find mobile phone signals
• The box-like device can be attached to a lamp post at the side of the road
• It can also detect whether they are not breaking the law by using Bluetooth 
• It will be used first on the A34 in Oxfordshire before being deployed elsewhere

Police have been armed with a device that can tell when motorists are using their phones while driving.

The box-like gadget, which can be attached to a lamp post at the side of the road, uses sensors to pick up mobile phone signals when a driver is texting, making or receiving a call or using data.

It can also detect whether they are using Bluetooth, meaning it can tell when a driver is using their phone hands-free and, therefore, not breaking the law.

Police have been armed with a device that can tell when motorists are using their phones while driving. Stock image

The device is linked to a sign further down the road, which flashes a mobile phone to advise the driver to stop using it. 

Unfortunately, it cannot determine whether the mobile phone is being used by the driver or a passenger, meaning it cannot be used to actually catch offenders.

But Hampshire and Thames Valley police forces – the first to use the technology – say they will use it to identify mobile phone hotspots on busy roads. They can then send road traffic officers to the area to try and catch drivers.

The device will be used first on the A34 in Oxfordshire before being deployed across the Thames Valley and Hampshire areas. It cannot be used in built-up areas as there are too many people using mobile phones.

The box-like gadget, which can be attached to a lamp post at the side of the road, uses sensors to pick up mobile phone signals when a driver is texting, making or receiving a call or using data. Stock image

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