RAC Data Finds More Drivers Using Phone Behind Wheel
Posted: October 20, 2015
Posted in: Car Accidents Road Traffic Accidents
A study from the RAC has found that more drivers are willing to risk breaking the law to text or use their phone when driving.
The data, which was mainly compiled in England showed that there had been a substantial increase across the board of people admitting to using their phones at the wheel. Worryingly, the data also indicated that there was a reduction in the number of criminal convictions.
Statistics showed that there was a 1.6% increase in drivers admitting that they used their phone to text when driving. Fixed-penalty notices against motorists who use a phone while driving fell from 123,100 in 2011 to 52,400 in 2013. Prosecutions in England and Wales also sank to 17,414 last year, compared with 32,571 in 2009.
Not Enough in Place to Combat Use of Phones
The RAC spokesman stated that his organisation believed that there was a number of reasons for the increase in the number of people not being prosecuted. One was that the law failed to keep up to date with the new developments of mobile phones while the spokesman also stated that there were not enough police officers monitoring the situation and technology was not being adapted to catch those who were breaking the law.
Legislation on the use of mobile phones when driving was introduced in 2003 and resulted in a £100 fine and three penalty points on a licence. Mobile phone use was a contributory factor in 492 road traffic accidents last year, up 40% in comparison to figures from 2010. Use of such devices on the road is considered to be a major concern by just over a third of all motorists, according to RAC research.
The House of Commons’ Transport Committee is due to hear evidence this month as part of an inquiry into the effectiveness of road traffic law enforcement.
Road Traffic Accidents: Making a Claim
If you are involved in a road traffic accident and injured through no fault of your own, you have every right to make a personal injury claim. Sadly road traffic accidents are one of the most common type of accidents in the UK with negligence being one of the main reasons for such accidents occurring in the first place. If your injury occurs as a result of negligence or if another driver was on their mobile phone at the time of your accident we believe that you should be able to take legal action and hold those responsible to account.
To make a personal injury claim, our team of solicitors will require as much evidence as possible to build the strongest possible case. This will include basic details about the accident such as where and when it occurred as well as evidence to verify your account such as witness statements and even a medical report to show the extent of your injuries,
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