WHILE driving along Tonge Moor Road at lunchtime I saw a large HGV pull out from a side street into the busy road.

The driver was steering with one hand while the other clutched a mobile phone to his ear. Being temporarily stopped by heavy traffic, I wound my window down to remonstrate with him and was met with a stream of invective and obscene language.

If he has lost control of his vehicle there could have been a serious accident with possible fatalities.

Do the law makers seriously think that a paltry £200 fine and six penalty points will deflect people like this from their potentially lethal stupidity?

Driving while using a mobile phone should be penalised more severely than drink driving. I suggest an automatic 12 month ban, confiscation of the phone and a minimum £1,000 fine,

Perhaps this threat would help to focus these people's tiny minds.

S OHara

Crompton Street

Farnworth