Fixed penalties for speeding reaches record high, while drivers caught using a mobile phone up 93% in a year – AA
|
Fixed penalties for speeding still top with more than 2.5 million
drivers over the limit New Highway Code rules sees fines for
neglecting traffic lights and pedestrian rights up by a third Fines
for not wearing a seatbelt fall by 4% “Drivers behaving badly
should know that someone is always watching” warns AA’s head of
roads policy Figures released today by the Home Office1 show that
the number of drivers caught speeding reached record highs in 2022
with...Request free trial
Fixed penalties for speeding still top with more than 2.5 million drivers over the limit New Highway Code rules sees fines for neglecting traffic lights and pedestrian rights up by a third Fines for not wearing a seatbelt fall by 4% “Drivers behaving badly should know that someone is always watching” warns AA’s head of roads policy
Meanwhile, tougher laws on using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel adopted in March 20222 meant that drivers caught doing so rose by 93% between 2021 and 2022. Changes in the Highway Code in January 20223 which introduced a hierarchy of road users and better protections for pedestrians, saw offences for neglecting pedestrian rights and traffic signs increase by a third compared to 2021. AA Analysis of Home Office Motoring Fixed Penalty Notices – combined tables;
Following reports in annual road casualty statistics that vehicle occupants were not wearing seatbelts, the number of fines issues for not clicking in fell by 4%. Operation Snap helping forces While the vast majority of fines are issued by police officers catching people in the act and official enforcement cameras, the rise of dashcams in cars as well as cameras used by cyclists and horse riders are helping capture bad driving through Operation Snap4. Police forces across the UK are now receiving more video footage and evidence of dangerous and poor road behaviours, meaning that the chances of being caught has grown significantly through citizen owned cameras. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “Almost 3 million drivers were caught and prosecuted for how they acted on the roads. With speeding at a record high, it is a timely reminder that the best regulator of speed is the driver’s right foot. “The tightening of the law for using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel saw a significant increase in drivers being issued fines and points. The AA led the campaign to highlight the dangers of picking up the phone while driving5, now we need drivers to hang up their handset rather than fiddle with the phone. “With the rise of dashcams and riders wearing cameras, drivers behaving badly should beware that someone is always watching. Police forces are utilising the footage to hold drivers to account and using the film as evidence to prosecute offenders. “Police owned and private cameras are a useful tool in catching bad driving in the act, but we do not want to see an overreliance on technology. The best way to deter illegal driving behaviours is to increase the number of traffic officers and visible presence on our roads.” ends NOTES TO EDITORS |