reminder: police are taking action against motorists using phones

The number of drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel has increased by nearly a third, according to figures released by the Ministry of Justice.

There were 164,900 fixed penalty notices issued in 2006 - up 38,100 on the previous year. Using a hand-held phone while driving became illegal in 2003. Of 12.7 million 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 two million 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 12.7 million, 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.

The report acts as a timely reminder to motorists that a large number of police forces are taking action against phone users.

For more information, contact Tim Williamson, a solicitor in Blake Lapthorn's Motoring Offences team on 01865 253286; or email tim.williamson@bllaw.co.uk.