Brake: Motoring offences report

The Ministry of Justice published its annual report on motoring offences and breath test statistics for England and Wales earlier this afternoon. The latest figures (for 2005) show:

almost all convictions for 'causing death by dangerous driving' (94%) continue to be against male drivers

the proportion of convictions for 'causing death by dangerous driving' against young drivers (aged under 21) continues to rise (27% in 2005, up from 26% in 2004 and 24% in 2003)

'careless driving' offences rose 35% from 2004 to 2005. According to the report, this reflects extra actions taken against drivers using hand-held mobile phones

607,000 screening breath tests were carried out during 2005, 5% more than in 2004

Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at Brake, the road safety charity said: "It's particularly worrying to see the steady rise in the proportion of convictions for 'causing death by dangerous driving' against young drivers. This adds weight to urgent calls for the Government to overhaul our whole system of learning to drive. Brake wants to see a graduated driver licensing system introduced, with restrictions protecting young drivers from exposure to driving in the situations where they are most likely to crash. Each conviction represents devastation to individuals, families and communities. We can't afford to delay."