DORSET Police have teamed up with scientists to make the county's roads safer by tackling distracted drivers.

Officers are working alongside the department of psychology at the University of Warwick to research the affects of mobile phone use on driving ability and to develop tools to encourage more attentiveness.

Studies suggest around 78 per cent of road incidents are caused by driver inattention or distraction, for example by using a mobile phone.

Laressa Robinson, driver education manager at Dorset Police, said: “We are committed to making the roads of Dorset safer and driver distraction is one of the 'fatal four' contributing factors to road traffic collisions - along with drink driving, not wearing a seat belt and speeding.”