Drivers unworried by tougher phone use penalties
Some drivers think they can get away with using their mobiles at the wheel because of a lack of police officers, experts say.
Monday 31 July 2017 05:48, UK
Tougher penalties for drivers using mobile phones could be undermined by a shortage of traffic police officers, road safety experts have warned.
Since the beginning of March, drivers caught using their mobile phones have risked six points on their licence and a £200 fine, an increase from the previous three points and £100 fine.
But some drivers have said they don't think they will be caught because there are not enough police officers to catch them.
Figures obtained by the Press Association show that illegally in the four weeks after the changes took effect - one every seven minutes.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: "Drivers tell us there are not enough police on the roads enforcing driving laws so inevitably there will be concern that people are getting away with breaking them.
"Illegal mobile phone use at the wheel has been a growing problem in the UK and those that persist in breaking the law need to know there is a real threat of being caught.
"We welcomed the tougher penalties that came in earlier this year but to be effective they must be backed up by rigorous enforcement."
Almost all police forces have seen a decrease in the number of road traffic officers since 2012.
For example, Greater Manchester has seen its numbers fall from 176 to 75 and Kent's number have gone from 123 to 89.
Metropolitan Police numbers have increased slightly from 381 to 385.
Mr Dennis added: "The public is entitled to question whether the Government is allocating enough resources to keeping our roads safe."
Responding to the figures, the Home Office said effective road policing is not just dependent on dedicated traffic officers, while the National Police Chiefs' Council pointed out that all officers were able to help traffic specialists.