MOTORISTS across Carmarthenshire are being issued a warning by the council to think before sending a text behind the wheel.

Graffiti style cards are being used with a graphic, pungent and thought provoking road safety message across Carmarthenshire.

The cards with the message ‘dnt tmpt f8 tht txt cn w8’ are being repeated on the backs of buses, on A-board trailers and have been distributed to colleges.

County road safety manager Keith Griffiths said in previous months they had tackled bald tyres, drink and drug driving and speeding.

“The danger of texting or reading texts while driving is something we also needed to highlight with the best advice to switch off before you drive off,” said Mr Griffiths.

“If you are caught using a hand held mobile phone or similar device when driving or riding you can expect to get an automatic fixed penalty notice. This means three points on your licence and a fine of £60.

“And if the case goes to court you could also face disqualification from driving on top of a maximum fine of £1,000. Drivers of buses or goods vehicles face fines of up to £2,500.”

The ‘dnt tmpt f8 tht txt cn w8’ is part of a monthly theme set up by Carmarthenshire council’s road safety team supported by Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership’s Road Safety Action Committee. Last month the warning was to be careful if taking medication or any drugs when driving because it could lose you your driving licence.

Mr Griffiths said the messages were aimed at drivers of all ages. But new laws applied to younger drivers and they could use their licences if caught texting twice within two years. He explained if they reached six or more penalty points within two years of passing their test they automatically lost their licences under the New Drivers’ Act.

“They’ll need to re-sit their driving test to get their licence back so the message to switch off before they drive off is certainly the best advice.”