“Great communication at all times.” Client, Ayr, South Ayrshire
Call us on 01292 289 584
New research by the RAC has found that the illegal use of handheld mobile phones by motorists has reached “epidemic proportions”.
The research revealed that around 11 million motorists have made or received a call while driving in the last 12 months, and as many as five million admit to taking photos or videos while at the wheel of a moving vehicle.
Attitudes to such illegal phone use appear to be shifting, with the proportion of people who feel it is acceptable to take a quick call on a handheld phone doubling from 7% in 2014 to 14% in 2016. In addition, the percentage of drivers who feel it is safe to check social media on their phone when in stationary traffic, either at traffic lights or in congestion, has increased from 14% in 2014 to 20% in 2016.
The percentage of drivers who said it was not acceptable to take a quick call at the wheel has correspondingly fallen 6% from 84% in 2014 to 78% today.
It’s not just attitudes that are shifting – actual behaviours are changing significantly too. The percentage of drivers who admit to having used a handheld mobile phone while driving has shot up to 31% compared with just 8% who were prepared to admit this in 2014. Similarly, the proportion of drivers who ‘own up’ to sending a text, email or posting on social media has risen to 19% today compared to 7% just two years ago.
When questioned, motorists gave a variety of reasons why they used a handheld phone while driving:
The use of a handheld mobile phone while driving was made a criminal offence on 1st December 2003, when it was announced that offenders would receive three penalty points on their licence and a £30 fine rising to a maximum of £1,000.
Following the publication of the RAC’s research, the UK Government has now announced that the penalties for drivers caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel will be increased.
“Increasing the fine from £100 to £200 and doubling the penalty points from three to six will help to deter people from doing it in the first place,” commented RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams. “However, it is just as important that laws are seen to be enforced, and the decline in the numbers of dedicated road traffic police has only heightened the feeling that those who use a handheld phone while driving simply get away with it.”
“While the new penalties are not due to come into force until the first half of 2017 we hope we will see an immediate change in driver behaviour and an end to anyone using a handheld mobile phone while driving,” he added. “It is time for a cultural shift to make the use of a handheld mobile phone as socially unacceptable as drink diving.”
If you have been charged with a road traffic offence, or any other criminal offence, then contact our expert criminal defence lawyers today.
“Great communication at all times.” Client, Ayr, South Ayrshire “Excellent service.” Client, East Ayrshire