Big fall in drivers using mobile phones - but 1,400 still caught by police

But figures marking a year since the new laws were brought in show more than 1,400 drivers were still caught flouting the law in the and causing danger on Shropshire’s roads.

West Mercia Police says this is still a significant number considering it has carried out well publicised campaigns and operations on the issue.

From March 1, 2016, to February 28, 2017, 2,620 people were caught using their mobile phone while driving.

That number has dropped to 1,425 between March 1, 2017, and February 28 this year.

Superintendent Paul Moxley said officers will do all they can to take drivers off the roads if they break the law.

He said: “Twelve months on, with increased penalties, national campaigns and public awareness we are starting to see a reduction in the number of motorists caught using their mobile phones at the wheel.

"But clearly there are still too many motorists on Shropshire roads who are ignoring the law and blatantly endangering other road users. This behaviour is unacceptable and our officers will continue to ensure that we do all we can to enforce this important legislation and take such drivers off our roads.

"Improving the safety of our roads is a year-round commitment for our officers. The hope is this deters such reckless driving and means, in the future people will put their phones in their glove box or bag – and never drive distracted."

This week marks a year since the new legislation was introduced, increasing both the fine and the number of penalty licence points for those caught using a mobile phone while behind the wheel.

Motorists caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving now face a £200 fine and six points on their licence. Drivers caught twice face a lengthy ban – which could also then lead to a £1,000 fine.

New drivers – those who have passed their driving test within the last two years – face having their licence revoked if caught just once.

Last month a survey of Shropshire Star readers revealed that more than a quarter of drivers in the county are still using their phone while behind the wheel.

Of more than 1,000 people taking part in the survey, 27 per cent of people confessed to checking their mobile phone while driving at some point over the last 12 months.

The figure is a nine per cent drop on 2016, when the Shropshire Star first ran the survey.

A total of 1,160 readers responded to the survey, which also found that 13 per cent of people had also sent or read a text message while at the wheel, and 12 per cent had used their phone to make or receive a call.