“This operation aims to alert drivers to the negative and even fatal consequences of improper use of mobile phones while driving. Handling and using mobile phones, smartphones, tablets or similar devices while driving causes visual distraction, limited manual availability and cognitive impairment”, the GNR said in a statement.

According to this authority, almost 75% of Portuguese people stated that they use their mobile phones while driving a study by Portuguese Road Safety, despite this causing a “decrease in the driver’s ability to be vigilant and distracted” and an “increase in reaction time”.

Other consequences of using a mobile phone while driving, according to the GNR, are a “poor assessment of the vehicle’s position on the road”, “difficulty decoding and memorising signals”, “failure to respect the rule of giving way”, not maintaining a safe distance or signalling a change of direction and an incorrect assessment of speed.