Mobile Phone Users

[saknog]

As there are mobile speed camera units, why are there no mobile mobile phone camera units?
Just walking down the road in the morning, it’s easy to spot people with phones in their hands, blatantly using them because of the lack of enforcement.
And before people start slating why should I care, I have had several incidents of people more interested in their phones than their surroundings while driving.

[Earthdweller]

Mobile speed camera vans also enforce mobile phone and seatbelt offences

CCTV is also used extensively

[saknog]

But is that enough of a deterrent, not enough of a deterrent or why bother, it is what it is?

[Earthdweller]

saknog said:

But is that enough of a deterrent, not enough of a deterrent or why bother, it is what it is?

You asked the question “ why are there no mobile phone camera units?”

I answered

“There are”

Not sure what you more you want really

[saknog]

And you did answered my question straight and to the point, thanks.
Just thought the subject needed expanding from that answer.

[QuickQuack]

saknog said:

And you did answered my question straight and to the point, thanks.
Just thought the subject needed expanding from that answer.

I agree that it needs expanding because I don't actually think it was a full and correct answer - do the existing speed cameras only enforce mobile phone use and seatbelt offences on cars that have been caught speeding, or do they enforce these on all cars? I suspect it's the former, in which case, it's not what the original question is about, is it? If they only check whether the driver of a car which has been caught speeding was using the phone at the time, that's not full mobile phone use enforcement.

I have never heard of anyone who was fined for mobile phone use through being caught by a "mobile mobile phone camera" akin to a "mobile speed camera" in a van/other vehicle. I have never seen such a set up either, but I've seen hundreds of mobile speed cameras. The only people I've ever heard of or read about who were fined for such were also caught speeding, so it was a secondary examination of the evidence, not the primary purpose. We should have something which has its primary purpose as checking every vehicle's driver for handheld devices, whether they're speeding or not. I'm pretty certain that the current systems do NOT do this.

[Pica-Pica]

I would imagine it would be a ‘blitz’ event, whereby extensive footage is looked through and any inappropriately held mobile phone user is identified by ANPR (through reg’d keeper etc.). As for deterrent, maybe the 6 points should be raised to 9 points?

[iDrive]

Many Police Forces have "Operation Snap" portals where you can submit dashcam footage of other road users on mobile phones - works well with rear facing cameras, forces should update you as to whether action has been taken - May be a warning letter if insufficient evidence to prosecute or a minor offence/circumstances

[vonhosen]

QuickQuack said:

saknog said:

And you did answered my question straight and to the point, thanks.
Just thought the subject needed expanding from that answer.

I agree that it needs expanding because I don't actually think it was a full and correct answer - do the existing speed cameras only enforce mobile phone use and seatbelt offences on cars that have been caught speeding, or do they enforce these on all cars? I suspect it's the former, in which case, it's not what the original question is about, is it? If they only check whether the driver of a car which has been caught speeding was using the phone at the time, that's not full mobile phone use enforcement.


I have never heard of anyone who was fined for mobile phone use through being caught by a "mobile mobile phone camera" akin to a "mobile speed camera" in a van/other vehicle. I have never seen such a set up either, but I've seen hundreds of mobile speed cameras. The only people I've ever heard of or read about who were fined for such were also caught speeding, so it was a secondary examination of the evidence, not the primary purpose. We should have something which has its primary purpose as checking every vehicle's driver for handheld devices, whether they're speeding or not. I'm pretty certain that the current systems do NOT do this.

They can & do enforce mobile phone offences, careless driving, no seatbelt etc where detected, including in the absence of speeding offences.

[helix402]

Mobile phone cameras have been in use in Australia since 2019 and have been very successful in reducing drivers using mobile phones. They are being trialled by two UK constabularies at the moment. Hopefully they will be introduced nationwide.

[123DWA]

vonhosen said:

QuickQuack said:

saknog said:

And you did answered my question straight and to the point, thanks.
Just thought the subject needed expanding from that answer.

I agree that it needs expanding because I don't actually think it was a full and correct answer - do the existing speed cameras only enforce mobile phone use and seatbelt offences on cars that have been caught speeding, or do they enforce these on all cars? I suspect it's the former, in which case, it's not what the original question is about, is it? If they only check whether the driver of a car which has been caught speeding was using the phone at the time, that's not full mobile phone use enforcement.


I have never heard of anyone who was fined for mobile phone use through being caught by a "mobile mobile phone camera" akin to a "mobile speed camera" in a van/other vehicle. I have never seen such a set up either, but I've seen hundreds of mobile speed cameras. The only people I've ever heard of or read about who were fined for such were also caught speeding, so it was a secondary examination of the evidence, not the primary purpose. We should have something which has its primary purpose as checking every vehicle's driver for handheld devices, whether they're speeding or not. I'm pretty certain that the current systems do NOT do this.

They can & do enforce mobile phone offences, careless driving, no seatbelt etc where detected, including in the absence of speeding offences.

Yep! One of our employees got caught by a speed camera van for not wearing a seatbelt despite the fact he was not speeding.

[steveo3002]

whatever is in place isnt enough , only have to stand around a couple of minutes at a set of lights and theres loads on the phones , why an officer in plain clothes cant wander about and catch em i dont know , before you say not enough funds im sure the fines would cover the wages , if not raise the fines and direct the money back into catching em

[Earthdweller]

steveo3002 said:

whatever is in place isnt enough , only have to stand around a couple of minutes at a set of lights and theres loads on the phones , why an officer in plain clothes cant wander about and catch em i dont know , before you say not enough funds im sure the fines would cover the wages , if not raise the fines and direct the money back into catching em

Most offences require an officer to be in uniform

Roads policing has not been a priority for a number of years and has repeatedly been cut

Fines go to central Gov and not to the Police, there is no financial incentive ( nor should there be )( police do receive some funding from safety camera partnerships but that is after the fact and to cover costs)

[Earthdweller]

QuickQuack said:

I agree that it needs expanding because I don't actually think it was a full and correct answer - do the existing speed cameras only enforce mobile phone use and seatbelt offences on cars that have been caught speeding, or do they enforce these on all cars?

Yes

I have never heard of anyone who was fined for mobile phone use through being caught by a "mobile mobile phone camera" akin to a "mobile speed camera" in a van/other vehicle.


Happens every day

I have never seen such a set up either, but I've seen hundreds of mobile speed cameras.

Most also enforce other offences

We should have something which has its primary purpose as checking every vehicle's driver for handheld devices, whether they're speeding or not. I'm pretty certain that the current systems do NOT do this.

They do and they are out there ..

[Short Grain]

Must admit I do get annoyed when I see a driver quite obviously on their phone, but I'm an old fart who doesn't get the almost physical attachment people have to their phones and the need to be on social media 24/7. I do spend probably too much time on PH, but that's on my laptop, at home. My phone's a tool, for calls and texts, although I do use email on it, but only when I absolutely have to. I can honestly say I would never even dream of holding it when I'm driving so I do come out with a few expletives when I see others doing it. There is absolutely no excuse for doing that whilst driving and people who get caught have no 'kin excuses or right to moan when they get points and a fine! I'd happily see fines and points increased for a first offence, a 3 month ban for the second, and a year for a third! It's the only thing that will change some peoples attitudes to it! I think some cameras can catch mobile phone use or seat belt offences as well as speeding, and I think that's a good thing.

[saknog]

steveo3002 said:

whatever is in place isnt enough , only have to stand around a couple of minutes at a set of lights and theres loads on the phones , why an officer in plain clothes cant wander about and catch em i dont know , before you say not enough funds im sure the fines would cover the wages , if not raise the fines and direct the money back into catching em

Generally how I feel it could be policed, but with a person of authority in a high vis jacket, walking down a line of either moving / stationary cars, camera on a 20 seconds loop, so if they detect an offence, press record to save the last 20 seconds which would show the car license plate number and shows phone in persons hand.

[Earthdweller]

saknog said:

Generally how I feel it could be policed, but with a person of authority in a high vis jacket, walking down a line of either moving / stationary cars, camera on a 20 seconds loop, so if they detect an offence, press record to save the last 20 seconds which would show the car license plate number and shows phone in persons hand.

You do know that most of the offences are already detected by cameras and that the operators of those cameras are not Police Officers, they are civilian staff, often not even employed by the Police but by local authorities or safety camera partnerships

[saknog]

Earthdweller said:

saknog said:

Generally how I feel it could be policed, but with a person of authority in a high vis jacket, walking down a line of either moving / stationary cars, camera on a 20 seconds loop, so if they detect an offence, press record to save the last 20 seconds which would show the car license plate number and shows phone in persons hand.

You do know that most of the offences are already detected by cameras and that the operators of those cameras are not Police Officers, they are civilian staff, often not even employed by the Police but by local authorities or safety camera partnerships

Which is why I wrote “person of authority” not “Police Officers”

[Vipers]

A deterrent would be £1000 fine thank you.

I liked the vid the other day taken from an unmarked police car, driver on the phone, plod filming him and the guy on the phone gave the cop the finger not knowing it was a police car

[SebastienClement]

There are units that are being trialled in certain areas which can detect phone use as well as drivers being distracted by eating / drinking at the wheel.

This link says being trialled in Cornwall, but I recently saw one on the M42. https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/car-industry-news...