CHESHIRE police officers have had to break devastating news to 34 families so far this year – telling them that their loved ones has been killed in a road traffic collision.

Drivers on handheld mobile phones cause at least one in four collisions, latest statistics reveal.

Police are mounting a campaign starting on Monday warning of the dangers.

Inspector Steve Griffiths, from the Cheshire Roads Policing Team, said: “As a senior investigator I’ve dealt with many serious and fatal collisions, and in recent years I’ve found that increasingly more of these incidents have involved mobile phones.

“Dealing with such cases is heart wrenching and the hardest part is explaining to someone that a loved one has died because someone felt a phone call or text message was more important than a life.”

So far in 2016, Cheshire police officers have issued more than 2,100 tickets to motorists who have been stopped for driving while using a mobile.

Anyone caught driving while using mobile phone faces a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence as well as an increase in their car insurance premium.

"This could result in the driver losing their licence and even their job.

As well as enforcement, the campaign will also focus on educating drivers about the dangers of driving whist using a hand held device. Throughout the week long operation the force will be issuing messages pm social media.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire David Keane said: “Road safety is one of my priorities.

“I have great admiration for the work undertaken by our family liaison officers who have the heartbreaking role of informing families that their loved ones have died.

“However, much of their work could be entirely avoidable if motorists paid more attention to the road, rather than their mobile phones.”

Inspector Griffiths added: “This operation is not just about issuing tickets, it’s also about educating motorists about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving to help prevent tragedies occurring.

“My advice is simply, if you’re driving a car, concentrate on the road and not your mobile phone. It could be the difference between life and death.”