More than 300 drivers caught using their phone at the wheel despite stricter new laws
More than 300 people have been caught using their mobile phone while driving in Staffordshire since new laws were introduced.
A freedom of information request has revealed that Staffordshire Police has issued 336 fines and penalty point endorsements since March, when stricter regulations around using mobile phones whilst driving came into play.
Since March 1, drivers who use a hand-held phone have faced receiving six points on their licence and a £200 fine – up from the previous penalty of three points and £100.
However, the rules continue to be ignored across the county, with police chiefs stating that community speed watch groups are now sending information to the police informing them of people they have seen using their phone whilst driving.
Michelle Shaker from Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership, said: “When new legislation was introduced earlier this year to increase the fine and penalty points imposed on drivers if caught using a mobile phone whilst driving, we saw a spike in the number of penalties being issued as part of the national awareness campaign.
“Moving forward, enforcement of the new law is about ensuring that motorists understand the level of risk in using a mobile phone whilst driving and most importantly in changing their behaviour to prevent them from exposing others to their risk.
“Some of our Community Speed Watch volunteers are keen to keep their roads safe for everyone and have identified road safety isn’t just about monitoring speeding vehicles.
"Recently our groups have been monitoring the number of drivers using a hand held device and are reporting back to us on whether drivers have taken heed of the new law.
“At this stage we’re only monitoring the data captured by the volunteers. In the future we may send warning letters or an educational leaflet alerting drivers of the dangers.”
A recent report as part of the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2017, found the number of drivers who admit to making or receiving calls illegally has fallen by a quarter in the past year.
But the illegal use of mobile phones by drivers was named as the number one concern for motorists surveyed, with 16 per cent citing it as their top worry from a list of 23 common concerns.
Of Staffordshire's issues with drivers using their phones at the wheel, Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said: "It is unclear whether these figures show a reduction in phone use or people being caught.
"However, this is a matter of public responsibility and the message is quite simple, do not use your phone whilst driving as it endangers lives."
