Last year witnessed a record-breaking number of drivers getting caught for speeding, while the prosecutions for drug driving and mobile phone use behind the wheel took a dip.
According to a thorough analysis of the 2022 Criminal Justice Statistics conducted by the AA, a whopping 245,043 drivers found themselves in court, accused of speeding. That's the highest number ever recorded since we started keeping tabs.
On top of that, drink-driving cases brought to court experienced a slight increase of 1.8%, reaching 33,099 in 2022.
But here's the twist: the AA's analysis revealed a notable 16% reduction in drug driving cases, along with a 15.5% drop in drivers being pursued in court for using their trusty handheld mobile phones while driving.
Jack Cousens, the head of roads policy at the AA, had some words to share on the matter. He reminded everyone of the tremendous consequences that both poor and illegal driving can bring. So, if you're one of those daring souls willing to take a gamble behind the wheel, it's time to reconsider your choices.
Now, some folks argue that the surge in speeding cases is solely due to an excess of cameras lurking around. But let's not forget that speeding can lead to life-altering and even life-ending situations. That's why it's crucial to properly penalize those excessive speedsters.
Although there's been a decrease in cases of drivers using handheld mobile phones and drug driving, the AA isn't entirely convinced that improved compliance is the sole reason behind it. Their own studies have shown that a quarter of drivers regularly witness others picking up their phones while driving. Plus, with fewer dedicated traffic officers out there, some drivers feel they can get away with certain naughty behaviors.
Now, shifting gears a bit, let's take a look at some other interesting stats. The analysis also brought to light that over 55,500 cases were heard regarding vehicles cruising on the road without tax. That's a noticeable 12.3% increase compared to the previous year.
Similarly, more than 101,057 individuals found themselves in court for failing to provide information as requested by the police, up from 96,799 in 2021.
When it comes to insurance-related trouble, last year saw 83,100 drivers facing court for driving without insurance. That's a decrease of 11,000 cases compared to 2021. Additionally, over 3,000 drivers were accused of hitting the road without a valid MOT.
To wrap it all up, a whopping 710,738 motoring offense cases came to court last year, and out of those, 642,236 resulted in convictions. So, it's safe to say that nine out of ten cases that end up in court lead to guilty verdicts. This just shows that drivers have a slim chance of being acquitted.
Stay safe out there on the roads, folks, and remember to play by the rules!