Phone use and speeding charges rocket

Figures to December 2023 show there were 2,698,373, motoring offences recorded, which resulted in a fixed penalty notice (FPN) or another outcome.

That’s up 11% compared with the previous year (2,437,451) and the highest recorded since comparable records began in 2011.

The figures also show over four-fifths (86%) of recorded motoring offences were for speed limit offences (2,324,542), up 10% (or 209,596 offences) on the previous year’s figure of 2,114,946 and the highest recorded since 2011.

Half (51%) of driving offences resulted in driver retraining, while a fine was paid in a further 36% of cases and 13% of cases involved court action (excluding those subsequently cancelled), similar proportions to 2022

Alongside the notable increase recorded for speed limit offences, the offence of ‘use of hand-held mobile phones’ also saw a large volume increase, up by 33% or 9,066 fines to 36,842 in 2023.

The offence of ‘neglect of traffic signs and direction and pedestrian rights’ additionally saw a large volume rise last year, up by 23% or 18,693 fines to 98,605. And ‘Obstruction, waiting and parking’ offences were also up by 23% (or 2,680 fines) to 14,189 offences while ‘Careless driving offences (excluding use of handheld mobile phone while driving)’ rose 18% (or 6,221 fines) to 40,536.

Commenting on the figures, Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “We are incredibly concerned that drivers using hand-held mobile phones behind the wheel has risen by a third in a year. While this shows that officers are targeting the offence, drivers are still far too tempted to play with their phones when driving. At the same time, cases of careless driving have risen by 18% and speeding fines are at an all-time high. Drivers need to know that forces are applying the law and bad behaviour will be caught either in person or on camera.

“While cameras and new technology have an important role to play in road safety, these stats show that we need more cops in cars to police the roads.”

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