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| More drivers caught using phones | More drivers caught using phones |
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| 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. |
| PENALTIES Driving using hand-held mobile - £60 fine + 3 points on licenceDriving safely whilst using hands-free - no penalty Driving in distracted fashion whilst using hands-free - £60 fine + 3 points on licence class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7376051.stm">Drivers react to prosecutions news | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| If you use your phone there is a very good chance that an officer will see you, stop you, and prosecute you for that offence Chief Constable Steve Green | |
| Having been given powers to deal with mobile phone offences, the police are putting them into action, said Chief Constable Steve Green, head of road policing for ACPO. | Having been given powers to deal with mobile phone offences, the police are putting them into action, said Chief Constable Steve Green, head of road policing for ACPO. |
| "These figures show that we're out there actively prosecuting people who use their phones in the car. If you use your phone there is a very good chance that an officer will see you, stop you, and prosecute you for that offence," he added. | "These figures show that we're out there actively prosecuting people who use their phones in the car. If you use your phone there is a very good chance that an officer will see you, stop you, and prosecute you for that offence," he added. |
| Chief Constable Green added that enforcement was just part of the battle. | Chief Constable Green added that enforcement was just part of the battle. |
| He stressed the need for ministers to continue with "education, with publicity, to make sure that people know that if you're using your phone in the car, be it hands-free or hand-held, then you are less capable of handling that car than a drunk". | He stressed the need for ministers to continue with "education, with publicity, to make sure that people know that if you're using your phone in the car, be it hands-free or hand-held, then you are less capable of handling that car than a drunk". |
| Talking on a hand-held mobile while driving must become as socially unacceptable as drink-driving has Norman Baker, Lib Dem spokesman | Talking on a hand-held mobile while driving must become as socially unacceptable as drink-driving has Norman Baker, Lib Dem spokesman |
| Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, fears that the message is not getting through. | Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, fears that the message is not getting through. |
| He said: "It is alarming that the number of drivers who are using mobile phones while driving has risen, despite the obvious dangers. | He said: "It is alarming that the number of drivers who are using mobile phones while driving has risen, despite the obvious dangers. |
| "Talking on a hand-held mobile while driving must become as socially unacceptable as drink-driving has," he added. | "Talking on a hand-held mobile while driving must become as socially unacceptable as drink-driving has," he added. |
| The statistics also show that the number of penalty charge notices issued by traffic wardens are going up. They issued 7.8 million notices in 2006, 62% of the total. | The statistics also show that the number of penalty charge notices issued by traffic wardens are going up. They issued 7.8 million notices in 2006, 62% of the total. |
| 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. |
| Are you a driver who has been stopped by police for using a mobile phone? Send us your comments and experiences by filling out the form below. | Are you a driver who has been stopped by police for using a mobile phone? Send us your comments and experiences by filling out the form below. |