New camera technology will be deployed in Scotland for the first time to monitor the number of drivers who use mobile phones behind the wheel and don’t wear seatbelts.
As part of Scotland’s estimated 4.7 million daily vehicle journeys, around 169,000 drivers are estimated to not use seatbelts and over 28,000 may use handheld devices every day.
This survey will collect data on the scale of these problems to inform enforcement strategies in the future, help drivers understand the risks of mobile phone use and not using seatbelts, and ultimately guide road safety investment.
The cameras will monitor behaviours at 12 different locations across Scotland for the next six months, covering various road types – urban, rural, trunk and local roads, as well as roadworks. This will be the largest survey of its kind, ever undertaken in the UK.
“We know using a mobile phone behind the wheel when driving and not wearing a seatbelt are two of the highest factors which risk death or injury on our roads and present significant dangers to other drivers and passengers on Scotland’s roads,” said Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop.
“This trial will give us the most comprehensive picture yet of the scale of these issues.
“Recent statistics show that almost a quarter of in-car fatalities were of drivers and passengers who were not wearing a seatbelt at the time and tens of thousands of drivers continue to use mobile phones behind the wheel on a daily basis at serious risk and danger to themselves and others.
“We cannot allow that to continue, and this trial will help inform the next steps in tackling these behaviours through enforcement, education and targeted investment.”
