Police could be given the power to seize mobile phones being illegally used by motorists, the Police Federation roads policing lead suggested.
Constable Jayne Willetts said the measure could act as a deterrent. “As technology is rapidly progressing, I fear our legislation is already behind the times,” she said. “Is the seizure of mobile phones or their Sim cards – along with an education system – the way forward, combined with fines? I don’t know, but it’s a question worth asking.”
It comes as figures reveal a record number of drivers were caught during a week-long police crackdown on illegal mobile phone use behind the wheel. Some 7,966 fixed penalty notices were handed out during a week-long campaign in November – the highest figure yet for a seven-day National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) crackdown on “distraction driving”. The totals for the three previous initiatives were 2,690 in May 2015, 2,276 in September 2015 and 2,323 in May 2016.
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said a “blunt and brutal” measure may be necessary to tackle the issue. “It would be a massive step to give police the power to mete out summary justice in this way. But with far too many people still flouting the law maybe it will take something as blunt and brutal as, ‘you use it, you lose it’, to get the message across.”
Transport Minister Andrew Jones told the roads policing conference in Hinckley, Leicestershire, he wants to make using a phone behind the wheel “as socially unacceptable as drink-driving”.
Ministers have already said they want to double the punishment for motorists caught using a handheld phone while driving to a six point penalty and a minimum fine of £200. Those convicted of causing death by dangerous driving or careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could also a face a lifetime in jail under the government proposals.