A BERROW man has started an online petition calling on the Government to take tougher punishments on drivers caught using their mobiles while driving.

Ken May, who runs a burger van on the A39, said he is fed up of seeing people drive by on their phones, with little or nothing being done about it.

He said it was a "social disgrace" and wants the police to be given the power to seize and destroy phones if people were caught using them.

He said: "I see tens of people drive by on their phones everyday, it's a major distraction.

"At the moment the only deterrent is being caught and possibly receiving a points fine and a £100 fine which I don't think is enough.

"My petition calls on the police to have the power to seize and destroy phones which I think would definitely be more of a deterrent to drivers.

"Our police are under resourced so lets give them the power to be able to do this."

Mr May, who served as a special police officer for 12 years, has launched his petition on Parliament's website and is hoping it will get the 100,000 signatures needed to be considered for debate in Parliament.

He added: "It took decades for us to address the problem we have with drink drivers, but that legislation has worked really well.

"But now we need to address this issue, which I think is just as serious as drink driving.

"So many people are killed or injured each week because of an accident where someone has been driving and using their phone.

"Please sign my petition and help save lives."

To find out more and to sign Ken's petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/170917 You can also visit Ken's Facebook page to find out more, search Empower the Police to Seize & Destroy Mobile Phones on Facebook.