Fewer folk caught

Huge drop in numbers of motorists on phones

THE number of motorists in Dundee caught using their mobile phones at the wheel has plummeted by nearly two-thirds in the space of just two years.

Figures obtained by the Tele under Freedom of Information legislation show that 176 people were found to have been using their devices while driving during the financial year of 2015-16.

That’s a drop of 510 from the 686 individuals caught by police in 201314. And the numbers are echoed across Tayside.

A total of 590 drivers were snared by officers between April 2015 and the end of March 2016, compared to 1,730 in the same period between 2013 and 2014.

Today, police welcomed the sizeable drop in the figures — but one road safety charity said other reports showed the issue of folk using their phones illegally was “an epidemic”.

Inspector Ray Cuthill, the head of Tayside Division’s road policing unit, said: “Driving is potentially the most dangerous thing most of us do on a regular basis and requires full concentration at all times.

“While mobile hands-free devices may have their place, my advice would be for drivers to make or answer calls later or alternatively find a safe place to stop.

“The reduction in offences detected locally is welcomed but I would reiterate that Police Scotland targets mobile phone offences on a daily basis to reduce road casualties and we will continue to do so.”

But Alice Bailey, communications and campaigns adviser for the road