Better enforcement needed to combat drivers using mobile phones says FTA

Responding to proposed changes to penalties on drivers using a hand-held mobile phone, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that better enforcement is needed before penalties are increased. After consulting with members at its Road Freight Council Meeting in London yesterday, the FTA stated that the use of modern technology and cameras should be able to enable authorities to improve enforcement and provide evidence against those breaking the law. The recently launched consultation proc
February 8, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Responding to proposed changes to penalties on drivers using a hand-held mobile phone, the 6983 Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that better enforcement is needed before penalties are increased.  
 
After consulting with members at its Road Freight Council Meeting in London yesterday, the FTA stated that the use of modern technology and cameras should be able to enable authorities to improve enforcement and provide evidence against those breaking the law.

The recently launched consultation process by the 1837 Department for Transport (DfT) outlined the proposed changes to penalties for the offence of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.  The announcement outlined consideration by the Government to increase the cost of a fixed penalty notice from £100 to £150 for all drivers, and the number of penalty points on an HGV driver’s licence would rise from three to six.

Ian Gallagher, FTA head of policy south west and Wales said: "FTA members have told us that whilst they welcome the increase in sanctions they believe there is a definite need for better enforcement against drivers using mobile phones when behind the wheel.  
 
“We know that many already have a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to their drivers using a hand held mobile device in their Terms and Conditions of employment, and a single offence would mean the driver losing their job.  HGV drivers are also subject to regulation by the Traffic Commissioners and a second offence could lead to a two or three week suspension of their HGV licence.”
Enforcement

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • When speed compliance becomes a safety issue
    March 29, 2017
    David Crawford finds that softly, softly can be safely, safely when it comes to speed enforcement. Comedians and controversial TV presenters have long made jokes about having to watch the speedometer so closely as they pass speed camera after speed camera that they mow down bus queues. But the joke may have some factual basis according to a study by researchers from the University of Western Australia.
    Read More
  • Gothenburg to implement congestion charging
    February 2, 2012
    Gothenburg, which is line to become Sweden's second major city to implement congestion charging, will not enjoy the pre-deployment trials and referendum which Stockholm did. But, says the STA's Eva Söderberg, this is less of an issue than might be imagined
    Read More
  • Progress towards a pan-European cooperative infrastructure
    July 17, 2012
    Kallistratos Dionelis, General Secretary of ASECAP, makes the case for a lightly regulated, staged progression towards a pan-European cooperative infrastructure environment, the achievement of which should look to engender cooperation between the public and private sectors. Such an approach, he says, is the only real path to success.
    Read More
  • US ITS sector needs strategic leadership
    January 31, 2012
    The US is losing its advantage in the ITS sector because of a lack of strategic leadership, according to a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Here, Stephen Ezell, one of the report's authors, talks to ITS International about what can be done to remedy the situation. A new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Explaining International IT Leadership: Intelligent Transportation Systems, makes for sobering reading within the US ITS community.
    Read More

Highlighted Content