Fewer drivers fined for using mobile phones

THE number of drivers being punished for using hand-held mobile phones at the wheel is falling despite the problem increasing, it has emerged.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th May 2010, 22:15 BST

Updated 7th May 2010, 22:15 BST

Home Office figures show that the number of fixed-penalty notices issued by the police for the offence fell by five per cent to 116,000 in 2008, from 122,000.

Two years previously the figure stood at 167,000.

A survey carried out for the Department for Transport last October showed that the proportion of drivers using hand-held mobiles had increased compared with a year before, from 1.1 per cent to 1.4 per cent for car drivers, and from 2.2 per cent to 2.6 per cent for van and lorry drivers.

Using a hand-held mobile while driving was introduced as a specific offence in 2003.

Andrew Howard, head of road safety for the AA, said: "A more visible deterrent is needed. It would be useful to have signs saying 'you have just been through a mobile phone check'."

Home Office Department for Transport