Drivers in the South West are being reminded of the potentially horrific consequences of using mobile phones while driving as tough new penalties come into force.

At a regional campaign launched in Truro today to highlight the new penalties, the public were reminded of an accident at Maranzanvose, near the city, which resulted in the death of 67-year-old Jean Evans. Her husband David Evans, from Witheridge, near Tiverton suffered severe injuries and is slowly rebuilding his life.

The accident happened in 2002 when a driver crossed the single carriageway road into the path of their car. He had been talking on his mobile phone while travelling between 60-70mph.

The driver was jailed for four years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr Evans, who was in Truro for the launch, said: "One careless act had horrendous consequences taking a life and ruining another. People must realise that using mobile phones while driving can be lethal."

From Tuesday February 27, the fixed penalty for using a mobile phone while driving will be three penalty points while the fine will double to £60.

The new penalties were spelt out using over a hundred mobile phones in a special display at Lemon Quay, Truro today, where Cornwall County Council road safety officers handed out leaflets explaining the changes.

Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman, said: "This accident in Cornwall highlights the terrible consequences of using a mobile phone while driving. It is impossible to talk on a phone and concentrate properly on the road at the same time, indeed recent research showed that drivers talking on a mobile phone had significantly slower reactions than someone driving under the influence of alcohol. This is why we are introducing these new penalties."

Research by the DfT shows that while 92% of people agree with the law, 21% of drivers admit to still breaking it.

If you use your mobile phone while driving you are four times more likely to have a crash. In fact if you use any type of mobile phone (hands-free or hand-held) while driving, your reaction times are worse than if you drive under the influence of alcohol. Tests have shown that reaction times for drivers using a hand-held phone were 30% worse than for driving while drunk and nearly 50% worse than when driving under normal conditions.

In the Devon and Cornwall Police force area, 949 fixed penalties were issued for using a mobile phone while driving between April 2004 and April 2005. This rose to 1,524 between April 2005 and April 2006 and 1,670 between April 2006 and December 2006.

MPc Mark Leath, Devon and Cornwall Police Road Safety Officer said: "Driving requires your total concentration and using a mobile phone, even hands-free, slows your reaction time down and detracts attention from the road. We don't accept that it's okay for people to drive after drinking alcohol, and we shouldn't accept that it's okay for people to illegally drive while on the phone either."

Joan Mallard, Cornwall County Council Road Safety Officer said: "The message we are trying to get across is that it's hard to concentrate on two things at once and drivers can't help but be distracted by a phone call or text. From the end of this month the penalties for using a mobile phone while driving will be more severe and this is because people have to realise that the ultimate penalty could be death."

A campaign to raise awareness of the new fixed penalty began last month including radio, press and online activity raising awareness of both the change in penalties and the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving. This educational approach goes hand in hand with continued enforcement activity by the police.

The DfT continues to work closely with private partners, including the mobile phone industry, to ensure mobile phone users are made aware of the changes and how it affects them