Forensic Mobile Phone Analysis could soon lead to harsher punishments to mobile phone users when driving.

In the digital age where almost everyone owns a mobile phone, the roads have quickly become a very dangerous place. The old fears of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol seem to have been surpassed by a new threat of driver’s preoccupied with text messaging rather than focusing on the road ahead – with deadly consequences worldwide.
A Harvard centre of risk analysis reported last year that mobile phone use contributes to an estimated 6 percent of all crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year in the USA.

A recent survey in the UK completed by the RAC showed reaction times slowed by 35% when 17 to 24-year-olds drove while reading and writing text messages. This eye raising survey also suggested that nearly 50% of drivers aged between 18 and 24 texted while driving. Recent studies have shown that texting while driving impairs motorists more than being under the influence of drink or drugs, but why have we as a nation have not seen to have accepted this hazard and changed our driver habits?

Since new legislation was passed on the 1st December 2003 it has been illegal to drive in the UK while using a hand held mobile phone device. Prior to this much needed change in legislation, the only way a motorist would face prosecution for using a mobile phone would be if they were charged with failing to keep control of their car while they were using it.

This new legislation failed to have the impact which was first expected and despite of 75,000 fixed penalty notices being issued in 2004, many argued that a fixed penalty of just £30 would not deter drivers from using a mobile phone while driving. From 27 February 2007 it doubled to £60 (rising to up to £1000 should the case be taken to court), and driving while using a hand-held mobile phone became an endorseable offence, with 3 penalty points added to the offender's license

The growing problem of mobile phone abuse when driving seems to be popular amongst younger drivers. A survey in August 2006 Teens Today Magazine showed that teens considered sending text messages via cellphones to be their biggest distraction. (August 2006 Teens Today survey conducted by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and Students Against Destructive Decisions). Reports show that the number of monthly text messages sent in the UK reached 110.4 billion in December 2008, more than 10 times the number three years before. (Cellular Telephone and Internet Association (CTIA)

The rise of mobile phone usage while driving has caused a significant change within the forensic analysis industry, particularly road traffic accident investigation and vehicle accident analysis. Using the latest mobile phone analysis and cell site analysis technology, forensic expert witnesses can now determine whether a car accident was directly a result of mobile phone use – particularly text messaging. Through this significant development within the forensic analysis industry many incidents are now being considered as manslaughter rather than dangerous driving, which has sent shockwaves across the driving world.

It’s becoming more common for mobile phone expert witnesses to give evidence in court following cell site analysis and business across the UK particularly within the road haulage industry are taking new measures to discipline drivers caught using a mobile phone. The threat to business has grown vastly over the last year with insurance companies now calling upon expert witnesses to clarify certain road traffic accidents where there are suspicions that mobile phones could have been the cause.

With commercial vehicles costing businesses and insurers millions of pounds worldwide, an insurance payout has become big business and with the growth in forensic mobile phone analysis employees must now restrict from mobile phone usage while at work or face significant disciplinary all be it a fine or being laid off.

If you would like to know more information on cell site analysis, mobile phone analysis, Mobile Phone Expert Witness services or any other forensic analysis service please contact Forensic Resources Ltd.