6 December 2024
Following the release of Home Office data today showing that fines for using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving increased by 33% in 2023, while the number of speeding tickets issued across England and Wales reached a record high of 2.7 million*, Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “We are incredibly concerned that drivers using hand-held mobile phones behind the wheel has risen by a third in a year. While this shows that officers are rightly targeting the offence, drivers are still far too tempted to play with their phones when driving.
“At the same time, cases of careless driving have risen by 18% and speeding fines are at an all-time high. Drivers need to know that forces are applying the law and bad behaviour will be caught either in person or on camera.
“While cameras and new technology have an important role to play in road safety, these stats clearly show that we need more cops in cars to police the roads. Yesterday, the Prime Minister said he would hire 13,000 new officers, PCSOs and Special Constables. At least 1,000** should become traffic officers to help improve road safety and stop poor driving in the act, before something tragic occurs.”
* Police powers and procedures: Roads policing, to December 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)