More drivers fined for using phones

13/12/11

By Shane Gladstone

Research has suggested that many motorists are still texting while driving despite harsher fines being introduced as punishment.

Figures obtained under a freedom of information request revealed that over 2010/11 there were at least 171,000 fixed penalty notices for mobile phone offences - a figure which is higher than before the tougher punishment was announced.

The stats compared to the 166,800 recorded five years ago, ahead of the penalties being ramped up.

But this year's total could yet be higher, as two forces are still to reveal their figures. The figures showed that the number of notices over such offences rose by more than a fifth year-on-year for Thames Valley Police alone.

The research also revealed that notices had been handed to motorists who were supervising drivers who had not yet passed their test, while also using their phones.

Some 56 such fines were issued in the capital, according to the figures.

The data was obtained after a request from Swiftcover.com.