Road Traffic Offences: Mobile Phones

(asked on 25th April 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many drivers using mobile phones while driving have been convicted of causing death or serious injury in the last five years; and what assessment they have made of whether drivers using hands-free or other mobile devices have a greater risk of causing an accident.


Answered by
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Portrait
Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
This question was answered on 8th May 2019

The Ministry of Justice court proceedings database does not distinguish convictions involving mobile phone use from the broader offences of causing death/serious injury by dangerous driving.

The Department for Transport has not carried out an assessment of hands-free mobile phone use, or use of other mobile devices such as satellite navigation equipment, while driving. The Highway Code stresses the importance of proper concentration while driving. If someone drives poorly because they are distracted by a phone conversation, for example, even if using hands-free, then the police can take enforcement action for failing to have proper control of the vehicle.

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