Public frustrated by roads policing cuts Well over half of drivers believe that there are not enough officers on the road, says RAC study. Worried members of the public are now starting to notice the absence of roads policing officers - and are growing increasingly frustrated that offenders are going unpunished. A study from a major motoring organisation found many drivers are frustrated that those breaking the law are not being held account - with deep cuts to force budgets now showing at the sharp end. This years RAC Report on Motoring found that 40 per cent of motorists - two in-five - perceived that those committing offences such as using mobile phones would more than likely to go unpunished. Some 60 per cent felt there were generally not enough officers on the road, while less than a quarter felt that new offences such as tailgating and driving in the middle lane of a motorway would be enforced. “Our research shows that millions of law-abiding motorists are frustrated with the reduction of traffic police and believe that the chances of drivers being pulled up for breaking the law are now minimal, said RAC Technical Director David Bizley. Motorists are tired of constantly seeing other drivers breaking the law and getting away with it so it is hardly surprising they want to see a greater police presence to enforce motoring legislation more effectively, which would also act as a genuine deterrent. The Police Federation lead on roads policing Jayne Willetts, who said offenders were being emboldened by central government reductions - which have seen forces spending reduced by some 20 per cent. Caught on camera Worryingly, the RAC research found that there was a perception among the public that the only offences motorists believed would be effectively enforced were those captured on camera. Of those who have speeding points on their licences half admitted they had been photographed by a speed camera, whereas only a quarter were stopped by a police officer. Mr Bizley said: “Worryingly, our research also found three quarters of motorists regularly see other people on mobile phones, with 44 per cent saying they see this happening during most car journeys. Yet only eight per cent admit to using a hand-held phone on most journeys.” “As for speeding, 40 per cent of motorists admit to breaking the limit on country and 20mph roads, but by far the worst non-compliance is on motorways where the figure rises to 56 per cent - perhaps a symptom of today’s lower police presence and the fact fixed speed cameras are not used to enforce 70mph limits on motorways.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 11:00:00 +0000
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