FRESH warnings to tighten up mobile phone policies have been issued to employers after a delivery company was saved from prosecution by its well-worded employee handbook.

In the first case of its kind, which took place in the North-east of England, one of the company's drivers was forced to accept sole responsibility for a fatal accident which occurred while he was using a hand-held mobile phone. Sentencing takes place on August 6.

The company avoided prosecution because it had supplied all mobile employees with clear, written rules on the use of mobile phones whilst driving, in line with new regulations which came into effect last December.