MOTORISTS have spoken of an "eye-opening" experience after taking a course aimed at giving a harsh lesson to motorists who use mobile phones at the wheel.

More than 170 drivers from Oxfordshire have been through a Call Divert course after being caught using a mobile phone while driving since the law toughened up six months ago.

During the two-and-a-half hour session at Upper Heyford, they learn that driving with a mobile phone can be more dangerous than getting into a car after drinking.

Many motorists take the course to avoid paying a £60 fine and having three penalty points on their licence - but many have spoken about a new awareness of the dangers of phoning on the road.

Before a course on Monday, trainer Vicky Lovell said: "They come in with their arms crossed thinking I'll sit here for two-and-a-half hours, then go away.

"But when they leave, they have realised it is a worthwhile experience. Most drivers have not had any driving coaching since passing their test.

"It is not a finger-waving exercise. We want to explain why police are treating this so seriously and I think education can play a part."

The drivers are told talking on a mobile phone affects reaction times more than driving with excess alcohol.

An alert driver's braking reaction time is 0.9 seconds while a driver just over the limit has a reaction time of 1.11 seconds.

But a driver using a hands-free mobile has only 1.25 seconds reaction time - and with a hand-held mobile, it is 1.46 seconds.

Motorists taking the course heard two horror stories, including one of a woman killed while talking on her phone to her husband while overtaking two lorries.

They are then told about a young woman who died after rolling her car on to a tree stump when reaching to read a text message about her friend's birthday.

Electrician Kevin Ramsbottom, 25, of Bicester, was caught by police answering a call from his manager on his mobile.

After the course, he said: "It has opened my eyes, I won't be back again. You could say I'm once bitten twice shy. It is a good opportunity to avoid having points on your licence.

"They don't bring in laws for no reason and there is obviously a big problem with driving and using your phone."

Phil Hughes, 47, of Launton, answered his mobile while driving to take an urgent call from his mother. He said: "I knew I did something I shouldn't have.

"I'm here to avoid the points, but to be fair, it has opened my mind and I'm annoyed I took the risk.

"I now have a hands-free set, but I will avoid taking calls in my car."

Funeral director Clive Dudley, 45, of Bicester, said: "In the course of my job, I have seen what accidents do to people.

"I liked to think you could be in control of the car when you're on the phone, but that's not the case."

More than 600 drivers from the Thames Valley region have passed through the course this year.

Police have stopped and issued fines to 2,725 drivers in the Thames Valley since February.