Mobile phone offences rise by over 90%

Shocking new figures have revealed that the number of drivers caught using a hand-held mobile phone behind the wheel has increased by more than 90% in the past two years. Some 13,332 drivers were prosecuted in England and Wales, compared to 6,990 drivers who were found guilty in 2022.

The Government changed the law to cover any use of a hand-held phone while driving in 2022, extending the type of devices contravening the law as well as expanding the definition of ‘using’ to include using a camera, accessing the internet and checking notifications. Anyone caught using their hand-held device faces a fine of up to £1,000 as well as six points on their licence or a full driving ban.

The AA believes this action, coupled with Police Forces across the country using roadside cameras, covert HGVs and targeted periods of enforcement have contributed to the rise.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said:

Despite a high-profile change in the law, it seems many drivers are still falling foul when it comes to using a mobile phone behind the wheel. While our phones have become smart, it is dumb to play with it when driving.

Analysis by the AA of figures released from the Ministry of Justice also show that driving without vehicle tax rose to an all-time high of 99,694 convictions, a year-on-year increase of 94%. Similarly, drivers failing to comply with red lights and signs were at a 12-year high of 11,940 guilty verdicts.

Elsewhere, court cases for speeding offences fell by 8% with more than 203,500 guilty verdicts handed to drivers.

When looking at motor insurance cases, driving a vehicle without insurance fell to 71,458 last year (76,390 in 2022), but keeping a vehicle without insurance reaching a four-year high (58,690 in 2023 vs 40,392 in 2022).

Drink and drug driving related cases, seatbelt offences and driving whilst disqualified also remained at similar levels to 2022.

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