Phone trend highlighted as police train for ride

As preparations for the annual WA Police Legacy bike ride ramp up, so do police warnings about mobile phone use while driving.

Port Hedland officer-in-charge sergeant Jayd Morawski, who will take part in the 850km event, said it was troubling how many drivers he had seen using their phones while training.

“Port Hedland has some of the most courteous drivers I’ve ever seen on the bike, however too many of them are on the mobile phone,” he said.

“Put them away because you may not see a cyclist and you’ll have to live with that for the rest of your life.”

Sgt Morawski said the issue had become so prevalent, he and other officers had issued a number of infringements for mobile phone use while on their bikes training for the charity event.

More than 20 officers will hit the road today to ride bicycles from Karratha to Broome in an effort to raise money for WA Police Legacy.

The charity helps widows and families of deceased, sick and injured police officers.