The enforcement and statistics of mobile phone usage while driving and seatbelt compliance from January 2022 to February 2025

7 April 2025

Our Ref: FOI2025/02168                                                                               

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 Ref No: FOI2025/02168 

I write in connection with your request for information received on 10 March.  I note you seek access to the following information:

Request

I would like to request data regarding the enforcement and statistics of mobile phone usage while driving and seatbelt compliance in vehicles within your jurisdiction  specifically, I would like to request the following information:

1. Mobile Phone Usage While Driving:

a. The number of reported offences for drivers using a mobile phone while driving from January 2022 to February 2025.
i. Including if possible:

1. Age of offender (e.g., under 18, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65+)

2. Gender of offender

3. A brief description of what took place (if possible).
a. Vehicle being driven
b. Actions taken (Fines, penalties, warnings, arrests)
c. Injury/Deaths (of offender/victim)
d. Damage to vehicles

1. Seatbelt Compliance:
a. The number of reported offences for failure to wear a seatbelt from January 2022 to January 2025.
i. Including if possible:
1. Age of offender (e.g., under 18, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65+)

2. Gender of offender

3. A brief description of what took place (if possible).
a. Vehicle being driven
b. Actions taken (Fines, penalties, warnings, arrests)
c. Injury/Deaths (of offender/victim)
d. Damage to vehicles

I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

Response

Following searches conducted on the Crime recording system of the Constabulary please find the information you have requested below.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Hertfordshire Constabulary can provide data on the number of tickets issued for these offences, however, the national fixed penalty system for traffic offences does not hold collision data.

Furthermore, the collision system does not hold data on any tickets issued.

Our system only records the offence. It does not record the behaviour/circumstances, so the Constabulary is unable to provide a description of what took place.

Mobile Phone Offences

The numerical data presented in this response is an un-audited snapshot of un-published data sourced from "live" systems and is subject to the interpretation of the original request by the individual extracting the data.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter please do not hesitate to contact me quoting the above reference number.

Yours sincerely,
Information Rights

Hertfordshire Constabulary provides you the right to request an independent review of this response under its review procedure. If you require such a review you must notify us within two months from the date of this letter. After lodging a complaint with Hertfordshire Constabulary if you are still dissatisfied with the decision you may make an application to the Information Commissioner. For information on how to make a complaint please visit their website or contact them on 0303 123 1113.