IAM disappointed at phone prosecution fall

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has responded to a recent BBC story suggesting the number of drivers given penalty points for using mobile phones at the wheel fell by 24% last year in England and Wales. In addition to the BBC’s findings, the IAM cited an earlier study by the DfT, which showed 1.1% of drivers in England and Scotland were observed holding a phone in their hand with a further 0.5% observed holding the phone to their ear (potentially more than 470,000 motorists). This survey also showed no improvement in those breaking the law since it was last repeated in 2009.

IAM Director of Policy and Research, Neil Greig, said, ‘If 470,000 motorists are using mobile phones illegally and 72,000 tickets and 99,000 courses are being processed; it is a tiny and disappointing response. Until the fear of being caught increases we will continue to see drivers taking risks holding mobile devices while driving.’