Very few drivers using mobiles get caught - Brooke

4.02.39pm GMT Tue 23rd Jan 2007

Last year, 1,324 people were prosecuted in Dorset for use of mobile phones whilst driving

Only a small number of people in Dorset who use their mobile phones whilst driving are punished, according to research released yesterday by the Liberal Democrats.

The revelation comes on the same day that the Government announced that the fixed penalty will, for the first time, include the award of three penalty points as well as doubling the fine to £60. The research, based on answers to questions asked in Parliament by the Liberal Democrats, also shows:

• 74,000 drivers are caught and fined for using a mobile phone whilst driving each year.

• In a recent survey, 21% of drivers interviewed admitted to using a mobile phone whilst driving - meaning that just 1% of offenders are being caught and fined.

• In England, you are seven times more likely to be caught in the City of London than in Dorset, based on fines for every kilometre driven (2004).

Annette Brooke, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, said:

"I welcome the Government's announcement to increase the penalty, but this will mean nothing without proper enforcement.

"Driving while on the phone can be extremely dangerous, and it is concerning that so few drivers are being caught. The recent decrease in traffic police may well have led to these lamentable figures.

"You can't catch people using mobile phones if traffic police are replaced with speed cameras or other automated systems."

Annette Brooke recently wrote to Dorset Police about the level of action taken against drivers using mobiles. She was informed that 1342 people were prosecuted between March 2005 and March 2006. Annette said:

"Resources for policing in Dorset is a critical issue. Dorset is the second lowest funded Police Authority in the country and although it performs exceedingly well with these resources, it is clear that we need fair funding for adequate enforcement."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Fixed penalty notices issued and total court proceedings use of hand-held mobile phone while driving, by police force area England and Wales, 2004

Fixed penalty notices issued

Dorset 521

London, City of 137

England Total 73,976

Source of data: From written Parliamentary Question by Alistair Carmichael MP

(see: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm061127/text/61127w0033.htm#06112843002456)

Fixed penalty notices issued and total court proceedings use of hand-held mobile phone while driving, by police force area England 2004: Comparison of rate per vehicle kilometre

Penalties issued per million traffic km (Difference as % of Average)

London, City of 0.73 (347%)

Dorset 0.10 (-40%)

England Average 0.16

A recent survey by Natwest Car Insurance (see: http://www.natwest.com/global_options.asp?id=GLOBAL/MEDIA/129) demonstrated that 21% of drivers admitted to driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Given that there were 32.2 million licence holders in 2004, this means that 6.7million people could be driving whilst using a mobile phone. Assuming each "fine" relates to an individual rather than multiple offences, this means that just 1.1% of offenders are being caught and fined.