Official government figures analysed by IAM RoadSmart have found that convictions for traffic offences in England and Wales are steadily increasing.
Dangerous driving convictions have risen 52% since 2013 alone.
Guilty verdicts for driving offences have risen every year since 2014, following a period of decline.
Convictions for the failure to supply the identity of the driver of a vehicle has jumped by 70,000 in the last 10 years.
By contrast there were big drops in drink-drive (10%) and mobile phone-related convictions (57%).
There does not appear to be one single reason why conviction rates are on the rise again, but IAM RoadSmart suggests that a combination of targeted enforcement, increased electronic surveillance and a renewed focus on traffic policing after years of neglect may all be behind the increases.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “This will be good news indeed for motorists who have been concerned for a long time about the level of convictions for the most dangerous motorists.
“It also shows that the most serious motoring offences are being taken seriously by the courts – even though there is a long way to go an increased certainty of conviction might get some drivers out of the mindset of thinking they can get away with drink or drug driving or using a hand-held mobile phone at the wheel of a car.”
john4870 - 11/05/2018 16:16
There are obviously one or two policemen still about then. But not in my area!