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New research has suggested that the introduction of tougher penalties for illegal mobile phone use while driving has led to a drop in the number of people committing this offence.
According to the study by Confused.com, the number of offenders on UK roads has dropped 39% in just one year.
The penalty for using a mobile phone behind the wheel doubled to £200 and six points in March 2017. The study found that this appears to have had a serious impact on driver attitudes towards using their phone while driving. In 2017, the number of FPNs issued to drivers dropped to 30,470, from 49,694 in 2016 – a 39% drop in just 12 months.
Around three quarters (73%) of UK drivers questioned say the harsher punishment has deterred them from using their mobile phone while driving, with more than a third (34%) saying they have stopped completely. Interestingly, many drivers admitted to breaking the law at some point, with 40% saying they have read a text and 35% answering a call using their handset. Worryingly, 7% have also used social media while behind the wheel.
With so many people admitting they have broken the law, it’s unsurprising that 21% say they have been caught by police at some point. However, detection apparently isn’t enough to stop some offenders from doing it again. In fact, those caught for the offence went on to be caught twice on average. Most of those caught say they were using a sat nav app at the time (22%), while nearly one in five (18%) were making or answering a phone call.
Some drivers apparently think the law could be a little more relaxed and should only apply when the vehicle is moving (12%). Around 14% say they think it should be legal to use a mobile phone while stuck in traffic, and 11% say it should be allowed when stationary at traffic lights.
However, the Confused.com research concluded that the changes to the law have had an impact on driver behaviour, and almost a quarter (23%) of drivers have found there is more of a stigma associated with using a mobile phone while driving since the introduction of the new penalties.
An interesting article published by IAM RoadSmart has revealed that the fines imposed for illegal mobile phone use in the UK are amongst the highest in Europe.
The article refers to research by German motoring organisation ADAC, which found that many European countries have relatively low financial punishments for using a hand-held phone while driving – Bulgaria, Iceland, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic all have fines of under 100 Euros. Germany fines offenders up to 100 Euros, France 135 Euros and Italy 160 Euros. At the equivalent of around 225 Euros, UK fines are only beaten by Holland (230 Euros) and are only slight greater than those imposed in Spain and Denmark (200 Euros).
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, including driving offences, then contact our specialist criminal defence lawyers today.
