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More drivers caught using phonesWed Apr 30 12:40:14 UTC 2008 |
More drivers caught using phonesWed Apr 30 13:10:49 UTC 2008 |
The number of drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel has increased by nearly a third, according to Ministry of Justice figures. | The number of drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel has increased by nearly a third, according to Ministry of Justice figures. |
| Police in England and Wales issued 164,900 fixed penalty notices in 2006 - up 38,100 on the previous year. | Police in England and Wales issued 164,900 fixed penalty notices in 2006 - up 38,100 on the previous year. |
| Using a hand-held phone while driving became illegal in 2003. | Using a hand-held phone while driving became illegal in 2003. |
| Of 12.7m driving offences dealt with by police or local authority penalty charge notices, the largest group was 'obstruction, waiting and parking'. | Of 12.7m driving offences dealt with by police or local authority penalty charge notices, the largest group was 'obstruction, waiting and parking'. |
| The biggest group dealt with by police action was 2m speeding drivers, representing 40% of all the offences they dealt with. However the figure was eight per cent lower than 2005. | The biggest group dealt with by police action was 2m speeding drivers, representing 40% of all the offences they dealt with. However the figure was eight per cent lower than 2005. |
| The total number of driving offences dealt with by police action or penalty notices was 12.7m, down three per cent on the previous year. | The total number of driving offences dealt with by police action or penalty notices was 12.7m, down three per cent on the previous year. |
| More than 2,000 drivers were fined by magistrates for mobile phone use, and one was prosecuted in crown court. | More than 2,000 drivers were fined by magistrates for mobile phone use, and one was prosecuted in crown court. |
| Police action | Police action |
| The offence of using a phone at the wheel contributed to an ongoing rise in the number of careless driving offences, which has risen from 86,400 in 2003 to 233,600 in 2006. | The offence of using a phone at the wheel contributed to an ongoing rise in the number of careless driving offences, which has risen from 86,400 in 2003 to 233,600 in 2006. |
| The ministry's report said the figures showed a large number of police forces were taking action against phone users. | The ministry's report said the figures showed a large number of police forces were taking action against phone users. |
| The annual figures cover the number of motoring offences and breath tests dealt with by the police in England and Wales. | The annual figures cover the number of motoring offences and breath tests dealt with by the police in England and Wales. |
| Statistics are also included on penalty charge notices issued by local authority parking attendants. | Statistics are also included on penalty charge notices issued by local authority parking attendants. |
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