A motorist was caught driving while distracted nine times in the past four years – with a total of 90,057 drivers committing the offence, new figures show.
The person, who has not been identified, was among 932 British drivers convicted for the offence more than once over during that period.
Source: The PA News Agency 27 drivers were arrested between 3 and 5 times. 904 were caught two more times. A total of 90.057 drivers were arrested for the same offence.
In response to a Freedom of Information request by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (DVLA), these statistics show the impact of CU80 endorsements in driving records from November 13.
New figures reveal that a motorist was stopped driving while using his mobile phone 9 times over the last four years. This is compared to the total number of drivers who have been convicted in this case, which stands at 90,057 (file image).
This person has been unidentified. He was one of 932 British drivers who were convicted more than once during the same period. (file image).
The endorsements are given to drivers convicted of not being in full control of their vehicle, such as by using a phone illegally, looking at things happening outside your car or reading a sat nav.
Jason Wakeford from Brake is head of campaign for road safety charity Brake.
“It’s disturbing to see repeated offenders, who were given ample opportunities to improve their behavior, driving dangerously on our roads.
“We think that drivers who repeatedly disregard the law ought to have their licenses revoked. This would prevent unneeded injuries and save lives.
Simon Williams, spokesperson for RAC Road Safety, stated that using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous and illegal. It can also cause serious injury to people.
These figures show, unfortunately, that too many drivers still break the law and are putting other road users at great risk.
“Worryingly the RAC’s survey shows that 25% of drivers still make or receive calls while driving. A small, but significant, proportion admit to making videos at the wheel or even playing video games.
These are a few of the CU80 endorsements found on driving records as of November 13, (file image).
Three to six penalties points are given to people who have received endorsements for CU80s.
If drivers accumulate more than 12 points in three years, they will be disqualified.
However, courts can allow drivers to drive if there are extenuating circumstances. This includes when they have to show that the ban will not cause financial hardship.
Four years following the date that the offence was committed, CU80s are still on the driving records.
Only 506 out of 90,989 drivers with endorsements had been disqualified by the DVLA.
However, it is not known if the nine-year-old with nine CU80s was one of those who were banned.
According to separate Department for Transport statistics, 17 were killed and 114 seriously hurt in accidents on Britain’s roads that involved a driver who was using a cell phone.
One in six people were either pedestrians or cyclists, which highlights the danger posed by distracted drivers on roads.
Carol Boardman (75-year-old mother to Olympic cyclist gold medalist Chris Boardman) was killed in a pickup truck accident. The driver of the pick-up truck had just ended a phone call from his cell only seconds before she was struck by the truck.
It was Connah’s Quay (North Wales) where she had fallen from her bicycle.
British Cycling’s policy advisor, Mr. Boardman said that using a cellphone while driving isn’t a mistake. It is an option and can cause unnecessary death or life-changing injuries.
“If drivers feel that it is okay to use their phones while driving, then it might be time for us to stop allowing these dangerous and selfish drivers to drive on the roads forever.”
The current UK laws prohibit drivers from making phone calls or texting with handheld devices, except when it is absolutely necessary.
Next year, stricter regulations will be implemented that prohibit people taking pictures or videos while driving and scrolling through playlists.