Campaigners call for more traffic cops

EYES on the road? Not this driver — one of several snapped using his mobile while driving.

A CAMPAIGN group representing families of people killed or injured by motorists is calling for urgent investment in traffic police, after a huge drop in the number of drivers caught on mobile phones.

Brake says figures revealed by the BBC show the number of drivers caught using phones has dropped from 177,900 to 93,606 in just four years, a reduction of almost 40 per cent. The group says the majority of the decrease has taken place in the last two years ­- coinciding with stretched police funds.

In Greater Manchester, 7,605 motorists were caught on their phones in the financial year 2011-12. The number then jumped to 9,140 the following year but then fell to 4,534, 3,024 and 2,885 for 2015-16.

The Police Federation trade union says the number of dedicated traffic officers has been hugely reduced in recent years. There has been a 23 per cent reduction in the number of full-time equivalent traffic police officers from 5,635 in 2010 to 4,356 in 2014. These reductions have affected 41 of the UK's 43 police forces, Brake said.

The government recently confirmed plans to double fines and penalty points for drivers using phones. However Brake fears that without sufficient officers to enforce this changes, the new tougher penalties may not deter drivers.

Twenty one police forces have seen their conviction rates drop by more than half while just two police forces, Norfolk and West Yorkshire, saw the numbers of people caught increase over the past four years.

In West Yorkshire, the number of drivers caught using phones was 1,335 in 2011-12, followed by 4,489, 4,741, 2,453 and then 3,107 last year.

Alice Bailey, a Brake spokeswoman, said: "It would be wonderful to think this drop is down to people getting the message about the dangers of mobile phone use. But sadly we don't think this is the case. A recent report called mobile use behind the wheel 'an epidemic', with our own studies showing more half of drivers in some age groups admitting they still use a phone while driving.

"As our police forces have faced major budget reductions, road traffic officers have too often been seen as a soft option for cuts. They are an essential part of the service and save lives. As the government brings in tougher new penalties for this crime, it must make sure it resources our police forces properly so there is a real deterrent."

Brake says road crashes are not accidents but 'devastating and preventable events'. It said calling them 'accidents' undermines work to make roads safer and can insult families whose lives have been torn apart by needless casualties.

The group promotes road safety awareness, sustainable road use and effective road safety policies. Its activities include a national Road Safety Week campaign.