MPs are claiming the drop in the number of motoring offences over the past decade is due to cuts in traffic police numbers and not because of higher driving standards.
On the face of it at least, it’s good news. The number of total motoring offences have dropped steeply over 10 years – from 4.3m in 2004 to 1.5m in 2014 – suggesting at first glance that UK drivers are becoming safer, better drivers. But the Commons transport select committee believes that the fall is not due to improved driving standards in the UK but because of fewer traffic police being out on patrol.
The evidence? While the number of offences have fallen, the number of convictions for causing death on the roads has barely moved in 10 years – from 303 in 2004 to 311 in 2014, suggesting that the police are still attending the same number of fatal crashes but fewer non-fatal offences are being recorded.
The committee recommends that the Government “tackle the overall number of offences committed by taking measures to support police forces in maintaining the number of specialist road traffic officers,” states the report. “By the use of specialist officers, and the appropriate use of technology, enforcement can be used alongside education which can make road users aware that serious driving offences will be detected.”
It’s a finding that’s been given further weight by an Auto Express investigation, which revealed traffic police numbers have been cut by a third since 2010. Motoring groups also believe the findings are correct: “The sharp decline in roads policing officers appears to be having the very unwelcome effect of leading to fewer people being caught for illegal activity,” said RAC spokesman Pete Williams.
While the evidence points to a shortfall in traffic policing, it’s worth pointing out that millions of motorists are still being caught for driving offences each year. An investigation by Direct Line Insurance has uncovered that 28 million Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued over the past ten years in England and Wales.
The top three biggest offences? Speeding with 15 million FPNs issued followed by 5.6 million for parking offences and 2 million for seat belt offences. For the full results, see below:
Image © West Midlands Police