"KEEP your hands on the wheel."

That's the advice from City of York Council's road safety team ahead of Monday's ban on using a hand-held mobile while driving.

New laws mean using a mobile phone or trapping it between your ear and shoulder will become an offence, enforced by a fine of £30.

Pete Zanzottera, road safety officer, said: "Research shows that drivers using hand-held mobiles are four times more likely to be involved in a crash.

"Although most people think it's wrong to use a mobile and drive at the same time, many still do it.

"All too often there are serious consequences of not keeping our minds on our driving.

"The best way to help protect our friends and family is to refuse to talk to them on a mobile if they are driving.

"Even a split-second loss of concentration can have fatal consequences."

Updated: 10:42 Saturday, November 29, 2003