16,000 drivers flout mobile phone laws

The number of fines imposed on Greater Manchester motorists for flouting the law and driving while using a mobile phone has topped 16,000 in one year.

Figures have revealed a 27 per cent hike in the number of fines given to drivers across the area from 12,904 in 2005 to 16,386 in 2006.

Across England and Wales there was a 30 per cent increase from 126,768 to 164,910, according to the Ministry of Justice figures.

Last year the penalty for using a hand-held phone while driving doubled to £60 with the introduction of three penalty points for each offence.

And where a case goes to court, the driver risks a maximum fine of £1,000, which rises to £2,500 for the driver of a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle.

Greater Manchester Police said the latest figures showed motorists were taking notice of legislation and the force had seen a significant decrease in prosecutions.

A spokesman added: “Talking on a mobile phone can distract motorists from the most important thing - driving their car safely. GMP takes this issue very seriously and we will take tough action against those who continue to flout the law.”

The Department of Transport said the increase in fines reflected the determination by police to tackle the problem.

A spokesman said: “Talking on a phone slows down your reactions and makes you four times more likely to have a crash. That is why we increased the penalty for illegally using a mobile when driving to three penalty points and a £60 fine and run major THINK! road safety campaigns to remind people of the dangers.

“Our latest research shows a 40 per cent reduction in the number of car drivers seen using hand-held mobiles at the wheel between September 2006 and August 2007. Just 1 per cent of car drivers were observed using a hand-held mobile while driving, compared with 1.7 per cent in 2006.”

But Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrats’ transport spokesman, said the increase in penalty notices showed the Government was failing to reduce careless driving.

He said: “With more and more people driving carelessly and almost 170,000 people unable to break their mobile phone habit, it’s clear that the message about safe driving is just not getting through.

“It is alarming that the number of drivers using mobiles while driving has risen, despite the obvious dangers. It has been banned for good reason.”

In addition 20,099 fines were handed out for seatbelt offences, 10,186 for neglecting traffic direction and 60,282 for speeding. In total 142,782 fines were handed out in 12 months across Greater Manchester.

Date article online: 04/05/2008