Are the police failing law-abiding drivers?

How many times have you spotted another motorist chatting or texting on a hand-held mobile phone while at the wheel?

What about tailgating, hogging the middle lane of the motorway, or simply ignoring the speed limit?

They are all illegal acts but, according to the latest RAC Report on Motoring, few of us actually expect the lawbreakers to be prosecuted or even caught because of a lack of police to enforce the regulations.

So I guess that means I’ll have to content myself with shaking my head and muttering dark oaths when I witness such transgressions. And their name is legion, especially on the school run.

Road rage

Well over half of motorists (60%) believe there aren’t enough police officers on the roads.

What’s more, 40% reckon anyone committing an offence, such as aggressive driving, will more than likely escape conviction. No wonder law-abiding motorists are frustrated.

David Bizley, RAC technical director, says: “Motorists are tired of constantly seeing other drivers breaking the law and getting away with it, so it is hardly surprising that they want to see a greater police presence on our roads to enforce motoring legislation more effectively, which would also act as a genuine deterrent.”

Smart moves

Mobile phones are a particular bugbear: the research found that 3 quarters (75%) of motorists regularly spot other drivers talking on mobile phones.

A bit odd then that only 8% of drivers admit to using a hand-held phone on most journeys.

Still, there’s no doubting the growing concern about the perceived lack of comeuppance for the lawbreakers and the risk they pose to responsible drivers.

It’s also ironic, given a recent government crackdown on careless driving.

Ton of trouble

Last summer, the police were given the power to issue on-the-spot fines of £100, plus 3 penalty points, to drivers who commit careless driving offences such as tailgating or hogging the middle lane.

The fixed penalty for most other offences, including using a mobile phone at the wheel, also went up from £60 to £100.

Candid camera

Of course, it’s one thing giving the police extra powers, it’s quite another giving the police extra resources. But at least there’s the trusty camera to monitor the road menace.

In fact, the only offences that motorists believe are effectively enforced are traffic lights and speeding violations, where you are more likely to be caught by a camera than a police officer.

In the survey, half the motorists with speeding points were trapped by a speed camera, but only a quarter (24%) by a police officer.

Fast and loose

Speeding is definitely the nation’s weak spot, with 40% of motorists admitting to breaking the limit on country, urban and 20mph roads.

Drivers find it even harder to stick to the speed limit on motorways, where 67% admit to driving faster than the law allows, which could perhaps explain why 70% of drivers think the speed limit on motorways should be raised to 80mph or above.

Could our need for speed have anything to do with the fact that fixed speed cameras are not used to enforce 70mph on motorways?

Whatever the reason, it’s obviously one law more motorists are prepared to break – at least while there’s little hope of getting caught.

Are the police failing law-abiding drivers?