Statistics released by the Home Office today show that the
various lockdowns across England and Wales in 2020-21 saw
speeding offences reduce by 12.9% when compared to 2019-20*.
Shockingly, careless driving fines increased by a fifth (19.6%).
The figures also show that drivers penalised for using a
hand-held mobile phone whilst driving reduced by two fifths
(39.0%) and neglect of traffic signs dropped by a fifth (22.4%).
While most offences dropped, tickets for people not wearing a
seat belt increased by 17.4% and licence related offences grew by
10.3%.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “While many
heeded the calls to stay at home, some who ventured out on the
roads tried to turn empty streets into a racetrack.
“During the first lockdown, several drivers felt that traffic
police would be enforcing pandemic related laws rather than the
rules of the road. Thankfully they were wrong, and the message
was heard loud and clear.
“As we hope for some form of normality in 2022, it is the perfect
time to hit the reset button on our driving behaviour. Slowing
down, allowing more room for cyclists, horses and pedestrians and
locking the mobile phone away are things all drivers must do to
ensure safety on our roads.
“To eliminate road fatalities by the end of the decade, we must
to all we can to make our roads safer and take note of the
upcoming changes to the Highway Code early next year**.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-powers-and-procedures-other-pace-powers-england-and-wales-year-ending-31-march-2021
**https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1037309/the-highway-code-alteration-to-the-highway-code.pdf
