Stricter driving laws have had a positive impact in reducing reckless driving, according to Warranty Direct’s analysis of Ministry of Justice data.
March 2017 saw higher fines issued to people caught using their mobile phone behind the wheel. Punishments were doubled from three points to six points and a fine of £200 up from £100.
Laws against speeding were also updated on 24 April 2017. Fines increased from a minimum of £100 to up to 150% of a person’s weekly wage and up to six penalty points.
To find out how successful these new laws have been at reducing dangerous activity behind the wheel, Warranty Direct compared the number of fines issued before and after the updates were introduced.
The tables below show the number of fines issued from May to December 2017, compared with the number of fines issued in the same period in previous years.
| Date range | Quantity of fines for speeding |
| May- Dec 2013 | 75428 |
| May- Dec 2014 | 101823 |
| May- Dec 2015 | 111067 |
| May- Dec 2016 | 110863 |
| May- Dec 2017 | 101654 |
The number of speeding fines issued annually between 2013 and 2016 increased 68%, rising steadily (or remaining the same) year on year.
After the new fines were introduced, not only did the number of fines stop increasing, but they even dropped by 8.5%.
2017 data recorded the lowest number of fines for four years, and if this drop continues next year, the number issued for speeding will drop below 100,000 for the first time since 2013 (to 93,000).
| Date range | Quantity of fines for mobile usage |
| Mar- Dec 2013 | 14974 |
| Mar- Dec 2014 | 14970 |
| Mar- Dec 2015 | 14027 |
| Mar- Dec 2016 | 11052 |
| Mar- Dec 2017 | 6175 |
Fines for using a mobile phone while driving decreased even more dramatically. The number issued dropped 44% in 2017 compared with the same period in 2016, and by 59% compared to five years prior in 2013.
It’s clear from this steep decline, drivers have taken note of the updated punishments for breaking the latest driving laws and being more cautious on the roads.
Warranty Direct’s chief executive Simon Ackers said: “It’s great to see these updated driving laws have had a significant, positive impact on driving behaviours, in such a short space of time.
“I don’t believe it’s just the increased financial penalties influencing people’s driving behaviour either, as motoring authorities have increased their efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of unsafe driving.
“We fully support any new measures which, make our roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians. I believe more motorists are truly beginning to understand the consequences of speeding and using their mobile phones at the wheel.â€
