Mobile Phone Detector Vans?
We’re all familiar with the sight of speed detector vans at the roadside in the UK. But how about mobile phone detector vans?
Drivers in Warwickshire may be in for a surprise as this new technology is being trialled on ‘A’ roads and motorways in their area over a three month period. Those caught using a mobile phone while driving during the trial may receive a warning letter. Although the most serious offenders may actually face prosecution.
Video Evidence
The vans will feature a number of cameras which will record video footage of drivers as they pass. They can detect whether phones are in use, in addition to spotting infringements of the seatbelt law.
Statistics show that a large proportion of collisions involve drivers using mobile phones. Plus, in 23% of fatalities the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
Speed cameras (or safety cameras as the police like to call them) are not always a welcome sight for drivers. There are many who argue that their use in certain areas is unjustified and they’re just used as source of revenue. A survey carried out by the RAC however, showed that a large majority of 79% were in favour of this new move. And who wouldn’t be apart from the minority of irresponsible drivers who think it’s okay to put other people at risk?
Tailgating
There are also plans to adapt the technology to detect ‘tailgating’ offences. A one year trial of this on the M1 near Northampton picked up over 60,000 instances of this in one year between 2020 to 2021.
Mobile phone offences are currently picked up by officers in specially equipped LGVs patrolling dual-carriageways and motorways. These new static cameras however, are likely to spot a much greater number of offenders.
So the next time you think about sending or receiving a phone call or text message when driving, remember that mobile phone detector vans may be watching you!