UK motorists want to see tougher laws on drink-driving, mobile phone use behind the wheel and more
Drink and drug-driving, mobile phone usage behind the wheel and tailgating are among the most important issues requiring attention when it comes to motor safety according to result of a survey conducted by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
The survey, completed by 2,703 motorists and asking which policing issues they would like to see improved on Britain’s roads, saw 45 per cent of respondents vote for an increase in the number of police officers in marked vehicles to enforce traffic laws, despite years of government cutbacks and police budgets continuing to be stretched.
The highest voted for issue concerned the use of mobile phones behind the wheel with 72 per cent of respondents suggesting this as a priority for police to tackle.
The results survey also saw voters calling for more traffic police patrols near to pubs and alcohol hot-spots indicating that this would combat drink-driving issues more directly, whilst 44 per cent of respondents were keen to see lower drink-drive limits enforced, along similar lines to those found in Scotland where the limit has been lowered from 80mg to 50mg.
IAM chief executive officer, Sarah Sillars, said of the survey’s findings: “The government cannot afford to be complacent about road safety and a lot more needs to be done to address major road offences through the enforcement of existing legislation and full use of police powers.
“The IAM supports an increase in the number of high profile road policing officers and a zero tolerance approach to the enforcement of traffic laws.”
