by Alice Scarsi
Clamp down on using mobile phones while driving risks prosecution as well as higher insurance premiums
Police forces across the UK are set to launch a ‘spy from the cab’ campaign, which will see unmarked heavy goods vehicles hit the roads to spot drivers making calls or texting from handheld phones whilst driving.
The campaign will officially bounce into action this spring, following a successful trial in 2014 and, thanks to the high viewpoint of the lorry cab from where undercover cops observed drivers, caught hundreds of car, caravans and truck drivers committing offences that on a normal, lower police car might have never been noticed.
According to the data gathered by the AA, someone committing a mobile phone offence is four times more likely to be involved in a car crash. It’s no surprise then that most of the insurance companies are receiving the new police initiative positively, and are ready to increase the car insurance premiums and even decline renewing cover for those caught and prosecuted.
While a speeding offence can be overlooked as involuntary, it is unlikely, if not impossible, that a driver using his phone is unaware of the danger he or she is putting themselves or other members of the public to. Therefore, those who are caught can be accused, depending on the circumstances, of careless or even dangerous driving, which risks disqualification and a heavy fine.
Of the new initiative, Janet Connor, managing director of AA Insurance, said: “Drivers using a handheld mobile phone are at four times greater risk of having a crash. And although a CU80 offence for using a hand-held mobile phone commands only the same fixed penalty as an SP30 speeding offence (three points and a £100 fine), it could add another £100 to your annual premium as well.
“While drivers may mistakenly exceed a speed limit, no-one uses a handheld phone by mistake. It’s a deliberate act that diverts attention from driving, significantly heightening the risk of a crash.”
The offenders themselves realise the recklessness of their behaviour. Research conducted by the AA last year found that over 19,000 of its insurance company’s members admitted that they had a near miss or a crash in the past 12 months whilst interacting with their mobile phones and, in another poll, 17 per cent declared that phones were the biggest road safety issue.
Hopefully the new initiative will bring even more awareness concerning the dangers of driving whilst using mobile phones.
