Thousands flouting mobile ban while driving in North Wales
DANGER drivers across North Wales are continuing to put lives at risk in their thousands – by chatting on mobile phones while behind the wheel.
Records released by the Ministry of Justice show the number of fines slapped on motorists in North Wales for using a mobile phone while driving went up by 627% in one year.
A staggering 3,083 fixed penalty notices were issued in the region for the offence in 2006 compared to 424 the previous year.
The hike was well above the 30% average increase across England and Wales.
And last night North Wales police confirmed the number of people being caught had remained constant – with about 3,000 caught flouting the law throughout 2007.
Officers last night warned lives were being put at risk. The Government says talking on a phone slows down drivers' reactions and makes them four times more likely to crash.
It has been an offence to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving since December 2003.
Last year, the fixed penalty was doubled to £60 and, for the first time, offenders faced getting three penalty points added to their licence.
In cases where the police or the driver choose to take a case to court rather than use a fixed penalty notice, the fine can rise to £1,000.
But campaigners say the law is not working.
A spokesman for anti-speeding pressure group Safe Speed told the Daily Post: "This is one of several laws of unintended consequences which causes people to stop in very silly and often dangerous places to field calls.
"Overall I think it made a very very small difference, what's more the people who have stopped were probably not the most dangerous ones. But you can virtually guarantee the driver weaving around in front of you is on the phone."
Association of British Drivers spokesman Hugh Gladon said the group supported the ban on using mobile phones while driving. "It is not the most sensible thing to be doing while driving," he said.
But he added: "Perhaps the law is over the top because it allows no leeway at all. Using a mobile phone while the car is stationary in traffic, in the queue behind an accident for instance, is just as banned.
"The police have funnelled too many resources towards regulating traffic by camera rather than targeting motorists driving dangerously by being on patrol."
Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrats' transport spokesman, claimed the increase in penalty notices showed the Government was failing to reduce careless driving.
Mr Baker said: "With more and more people driving carelessly and almost 170,000 people nationally unable to break their mobile phone habit, it's clear that the message about safe driving is just not getting through.
"It is alarming that the number of drivers who are using mobiles whilst driving has risen, despite the obvious dangers.
"Talking on a handheld mobile while driving must become as socially unacceptable as drink driving has."
But a Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "The increase in the number of drivers caught committing mobile phone offences reflects the determination to tackle this practice.
"Talking on a phone slows down your reactions and makes you four times more likely to have a crash. That is why we increased the penalty for illegally using a mobile when driving to three penalty points and a £60 fine and run major THINK! road safety campaigns to remind people of the dangers."
North Wales Police