EXMOUTH’S police and fire services have been working hard to reduce the level of dangerous driving among motorists across the town.

As part of Road Safety Week, plain-clothed officers were out on patrol looking for drivers using their mobile phones last week. They focused on the main commuter route from Exmouth to Exeter.

In less than two hours, three people were issued with fixed penalty notices for using phones while behind the wheel on the A367. Two were caught sending text messages while trying to steer.

One woman was given a warning for applying make-up and a man was stopped for reading a map.

The initiative is in response to growing public concern about the issue in the area and more are planned.

If caught using a mobile phone while driving, the fine is �60 plus three penalty points on your driving licence.

Exmouth’s neighbourhood beat team for the rural areas, encompassing such as Woodbury and Lympstone, are also stepping up action in an attempt to tackle speeding drivers.

Staff from Exmouth Fire Station, meanwhile, took a number of vehicles out around town, fitted with educational resources to inform youngsters, aged between 18 and 24, of the dangers of driving recklessly.

Andy Hallam, station manager, speaking about the road traffic collision awareness initiative, said: “All the statistics show that this age group is more susceptible to be involved in RTCs.”

Mr Hallam said informing the public about such issues was a significant part of the fire services’ job.

“We have three main strands of responsibility. The first one that everyone sees is the intervention element: Going out and dealing with fire incidents.

“The other two are community protection and prevention.”

Road Safety Week is an annual event organised by the road safety organisation Brake.

The charity was founded with two aims – preventing crashes through education and campaigns as well as supporting people, bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes.