FTA says better enforcement needed to cut mobile phone use

Plans to double fines and penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving send a strong signal to drivers – but better enforcement is essential, says the Freight Transport Association (FTA). The Department for Transport (DfT) has released its response to the consultation on ‘Penalties for use of a Hand Held Mobile Phone Whilst Driving’ to which FTA contributed. DfT proposes that offenders receive:
November 11, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

Plans to double fines and penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving send a strong signal to drivers – but better enforcement is essential, says the 6983 Freight Transport Association (FTA).

The Department for Transport (DfT) has released its response to the consultation on ‘Penalties for use of a Hand Held Mobile Phone Whilst Driving’ to which FTA contributed. DfT proposes that offenders receive:

  • Six penalty points for all drivers (currently three)
  • Fines of £200 (currently £100)
  • No option to take a remedial course

 
FTA’s response to the consultation highlighted concerns that there was a lack of proactive enforcement of this offence, suggesting that more needed to be done in this area. The Association therefore welcomes the Department’s commitment to provide additional guidance or advice and consider new technology where it aids detection and ensure effective prosecution by the police.

Ian Gallagher, FTA head of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Policy, said “These proposed changes should go some way towards making all drivers think about the consequences of their actions. Vocational drivers also risk their livelihood as many of our members already have in place a zero tolerance for employees in breach of these rules.”
 
Mr Gallagher added “FTA agrees that these increased penalties should work to dissuade use, particularly in new drivers who risk losing their licence altogether. However, what is needed is a new effort to ensure the rules are enforced. Without enforcement, increasing the fines and penalties could have little impact on habitual users.”   
 
The consultation, which received 4,347 online, e-mailed and postal responses, concluded that there was overwhelming support for increasing the fixed penalty fine and also for increasing the penalty points for the offence; both showed 94 per cent of online respondents in favour.  Additionally, 65 per cent of online responses were against a proposal for the use of remedial training for first time offenders driving HGVs.

FTA is keen to participate in any work by the Department to use technology to help with enforcement and reducing in-vehicle use.

Related Content

  • May 28, 2014
    Smoothing out city freight movements
    David Crawford welcomes a national first. Urban freight movements, while commercially and socially vital, are a growing logistical headache for planners and people alike. Figures from France’s Lyon Laboratory of Transport Economics indicate that goods transport in major urban areas accounts for: 20% of traffic; 35% of CO2 emissions made by all urban trips; and 50% of the diesel used; while final km delivery runs account for 20% of the total cost of the transport chain.
    Read More
  • February 10, 2014
    America THINKS 2014 mobility survey
    The most recent America THINKS survey from civil engineering consulting and construction management firm HNTB examines the public’s views on the country’s current and future mobility trends, finding that many Americans fear the potential for local infrastructure failure and see a clear need for the industry to offer the spark of innovation moving forward. The survey polled a random nationwide sample of 1,152 Americans in 2013 using an e-mail invitation and online survey. Nine in ten (90 per cent) Ame
    Read More
  • July 5, 2017
    Transport strategy must deliver fully, says FTA
    UK transport trade body the Freight Transport Association (FTA) says the Government’s new transport investment plan is good news for the sector but more investment is needed to upgrade the road network.
    Read More
  • December 4, 2012
    ITS World Congress debates perceptions of enforcement
    The technical programme of this year’s ITS World Congress in Vienna includes a special session on the image of enforcement. ITS International examines the scale of the problem and what can be done about it. Debate on the merits and difficulties of enforcing speed limits appears centred on a conflict of principles. Put very simply, local communities, people living close to busy or hazardous roads, want to see traffic speeds calmed. Drivers on those roads, on the whole, want their principle of freedom to be m
    Read More

Highlighted Content