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Drop in mobile offences reported by police, van insurance policyholders learn

11/04/07

A local police force has reported a 15 per cent drop in the number of van insurance customers and other road users caught using a mobile handset following the recent change in the law.

On February 27 th 2007, new firmer penalties were brought in for people found to be committing the road safety offence, reports the Kidderminster Shuttle.

Now, transgressors face a £60 fixed-penalty notice as well as three penalty points on their driving licence, which could potentially endanger their cheap van insurance rates.

This week, West Mercia constabulary published figures showing that a total of 381 motorists were caught using a mobile between February 27 th and March 27 th 2007 - after the harsher penalties came into force.

By way of comparison, 448 drivers were targeted by road safety officers between January 27 th and February 26 th.

Commenting on the statistics, sergeant John Roberts, casualty reduction manager at West Mercia constabulary, said the force was "pleased" about that offender rates had fallen.

And Mr Roberts also took the opportunity to reiterate the potential road safety implications of using a mobile while behind the wheel.

"Being distracted by a conversation or text message means you will react more slowly to what is happening around you and take longer to brake," he said.

"People who use their phones while they are driving are more likely to miss road signs and tailgate."

Recently, car insurance provider Direct Line Car Insurance reported that 21 per cent of motorists with points on their driving licence will be banned from driving if they accumulate three more penalty points.