Over two and a half million drivers received a fixed penalty for speeding and mobile phone offences. Almost double the number since last year, data reveals.
A fixed penalty notice ranges from a fine, completing a driver awareness course, or being sent to court.
As well as record levels of motorists’ breaking the speed limit, the number of motorists caught using their phones almost doubled according to data from the Home Office.
Following a Government clampdown on mobile phone use behind the wheel in March 2022, there were 93% more offenses recorded in the year than in 2021.
The laws about phone usage while driving changed in March 2022, meaning motorists would be committing a crime if they had any interaction on their device. This includes taking photos, picking a song, or checking for messages.
Following an increase in the powers given to the police, the number of penalised drivers duly rose. However, a boost in technology use by all road users also assisted their efforts, according to the AA’s analysis.
In 2022, the police fitted more dashcams into their vehicles and a surge in cyclists and horse riders adding cameras to their helmets helped record more illegal road activity.
Despite the record levels of speeding and phone use, the amount of fines issued to drivers or passengers not wearing a seatbelt dropped by 4% from 2021 to 2022.
‘We do not want to see an overreliance on technology’
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “Almost three million drivers were caught and prosecuted for how they acted on the roads. With speeding at a record high, it is a timely reminder that the best regulator of speed is the driver’s right foot.
“The tightening of the law for using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel saw a significant increase in drivers being issued fines and points. The AA led the campaign to highlight the dangers of picking up the phone while driving, now we need drivers to hang up their handset rather than fiddle with the phone.
Cousens added: “With the rise of dashcams and riders wearing cameras, drivers behaving badly should beware that someone is always watching. Police forces are utilising the footage to hold drivers to account and using the film as evidence to prosecute offenders.
“Police-owned and private cameras are a useful tool in catching bad driving in the act, but we do not want to see an overreliance on technology. The best way to deter illegal driving behaviours is to increase the number of traffic officers and visible presence on our roads.”
