Motorists 'failing to follow mobile phone driving rules'

Date: 12/12/2011

Thousands of motorists were fined for using a mobile phone while driving over the past year, despite the introduction of government measures designed to reduce this.

Freedom of Information findings published by swiftcover.com revealed 171,223 motorists received Fixed Penalty Notices for the offence in 2010-11.

This was more than double 2004's figure of 74,000, which was recorded shortly after using a mobile phone while driving was made illegal.

Chief Claims Officer at swiftcover.com Robin Reames said an "irresponsible but substantial minority" of drivers are putting other road users in danger because of their actions.

"It's clear that current measures to stop motorists using their phones while driving simply aren't working," he added.

West Yorkshire Police, Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary reported the largest increases in the number of offenders, with the number going up every year since the introduction of the ban.

At the end of last month, police in Derbyshire announced the launch of a new safety initiative to try and crack down on the number of people using their mobile phones while behind the wheel, the Derbyshire Times reported.

Posted by Sarah Bailey