Fewer Penalties for Using Phones While Driving in London

London: The latest figures show that fewer drivers in London got hit with penalties for using their phones while driving last year. The Met Police issued 8,796 notices in 2023, down from 10,106 the previous year.

Interestingly, a change in the law might be behind a 33% increase in penalties across England. The new rules mean that any interaction with a phone can now count as an offence.

The RAC pointed out that young drivers are particularly prone to using their devices on the road. Their survey found that 39% of drivers aged 17 to 24 admitted to checking texts or emails while driving. That’s a bit alarming, right?

Rod Dennis from the RAC emphasized that using a phone while driving puts everyone at risk. He also welcomed the introduction of AI-assisted cameras to help catch offenders more effectively.

If caught, drivers can face six penalty points and a £200 fine. The Met Police issued a total of 498,408 driving-related fines last year, which included a lot of speeding offences.

A spokesperson from the Home Office reminded everyone that using a phone while driving is a serious distraction. They stressed that tough laws are in place to keep our roads safer.

So, while the numbers may be down in London, the conversation about road safety and phone use is far from over.