A ROAD safety campaigner from Radcliffe says newly-announced tougher penalties for drivers caught using their mobile phones are "a good start."

Allan Ramsay launched an online petition with a fellow cyclist in 2009, calling for a crackdown on motorists convicted of using their phones while driving.

And although he would like to see the matter treated as seriously as drink driving, the 68-year-old has welcomed new proposals announced by the minister for transport, Chris Grayling, earlier this month.

Mr Grayling said that offenders will automatically receive six points on their licence instead of the current three and that on-the-spot fines will be doubled from £100 to £200.

While out cycling in 1991, Mr Ramsay was struck on the head by a metal bar protruding from a wagon and was on a life support machine before recovering. And in 2008, he was knocked off his bike by a motorist using a mobile phone, but escaped injury.

He said: "I submitted that petition in 2009 and you just have to keep chipping away and doing what you feel is right.

"Some people think it is okay to drive with your mobile phone on and others don't.

"These new rules are a good start but it could go further.

"I don't know what steps need to be taken to make this happen now or when it will come into force, but it is a step in the right direction."

The tougher sanctions could also mean newly-qualified drivers losing their licence the first time they are caught using a handheld phone and more experienced motorists facing possible fines of up to £1,000 and at least a six-month driving ban if they offend twice.

The Department for Transport said it expected the changes to take effect in the first half of 2017.

Mr Ramsay, an active road safety lobbyist and a member of RoadPeace, added: "The vast majority of people don't use their phones while driving, but those who do need to be educated about the dangers.

"I would like to see the penalty increased to an automatic ban, just like drink driving.

"We need a campaign about it just like they have done with the drink driving adverts and posters, especially in places like hospitals."