Rise in mobile phone fines for drivers highlights pressing safety concerns

Data from the AA has highlighted a significant rise in mobile phone use behind the wheel, resulting in an increase in fines issued to drivers. In 2023, fines for handheld mobile phone use surged by 33 per cent, climbing from 27,776 in the previous year to 36,842, as recorded in Home Office statistics. This trend marks the third consecutive year of rising penalties for drivers violating mobile phone laws.

Particularly concerning is the spike in violations among young drivers, which has reached an eight-year high, according to the RAC. Since the law prohibiting handheld mobile phone use while driving was enacted 21 years ago, instances of non-compliance have seen a notable upward trend. The RAC reported that 55 per cent of drivers under 25 admitted to making or receiving calls while driving, in stark contrast to the overall driving demographic, where only 27 per cent reported similar practices.

The increased enforcement of these laws can be attributed to the introduction of advanced AI cameras, designed to enhance road safety by effectively catching offenders. The deployment of these state-of-the-art cameras began earlier this year and has proven effective; for example, freestanding AI cameras installed on the A30 in Devon recorded 117 drivers using mobile phones within a 72-hour period during the summer.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, emphasized the need for increased policing alongside technological measures. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he stated, “While cameras and new technology have an important role to play in road safety, these stats clearly show that we need more cops in cars to police the roads.” He further highlighted the Prime Minister’s proposal to hire 13,000 new traffic officers, articulating that “At least 1,000 should become traffic officers to help improve road safety and stop poor driving in the act, before something tragic occurs.”

In addition to mobile phone infractions, the overall number of speeding tickets across England and Wales has also reached unprecedented levels, with an all-time high of 2.7 million tickets issued. The increase in careless driving incidents, which rose by 18 per cent, contributes to the concerning data surrounding road safety. In 2023, 23 fatalities were attributed to drivers using mobile devices, a significant increase from 18 fatalities in 2019.

The technology behind AI cameras is part of a broader national trial that started in 2021 and is expected to continue until March 2025. Participating police forces include Greater Manchester, Durham, and Norfolk among others. The trial is designed to evaluate the practical application of AI monitoring throughout National Highway jurisdictions, with ambitions for future integration into motorway gantries.

Implementation of these intelligent cameras is already demonstrating clear benefits. In July 2023, a collaborative police campaign employing AI camera technology saw nearly 500 violations captured over just one week. The campaign detected not only mobile phone use but also seat belt violations, successfully enforcing compliance measures.

RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis referred to the growth of illegal mobile phone use as “extremely concerning.” He noted a growing belief among drivers that they are unlikely to be caught, underscoring the importance of increased visibility and enforcement. He insisted that the expanding use of AI technology in law enforcement could serve as a deterrent, ultimately leading to safer roads and responsible driver behaviour.

Source: Noah Wire Services