MORE than 1,100 Essex drivers were fined after defying new laws clamping down on the use of mobile phones behind the wheel.

Figures just released by the Home Office show a substantial rise in fines in Essex and across the country despite an update to tighten the law in 2022.

Home Office data shows Essex Police handed out 1,161 fixed penalty notices to people for driving while using a hand-held device in 2022 - the latest figures available, which have just been released.

This was a huge increase on the year before, 2021, when just 426 fines were handed out in Essex. Previously, the law stated drivers were guilty of an offence when using the hand-held device for “interactive communication”, but this was updated to incorporate any use in March 2022.

The figures came as Essex Police deployed a “supercab” - supplied by National Highways - as part of its patrols across the country to help clampdown on driving offences - including mobile phone use.

The force has begun using the supercab as it patrols major roads in Essex and the height of the supercab allows an officer to look into larger vehicles to observe distracting behaviours such as mobile phone use.

An offence carries a minimum £200 fine and six points on the driver’s licence.

Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, and responsible for public protection, said: “I agree it is good news that people are being caught but bad that people continue to use mobile phones whilst driving. It is one of those things that when you are in a car it is a potential wreak of destruction, as we have seen people being hit.

“People need to be responsible when they drive.

“At least drivers know with these figures if they do decide to use there phone, there is a high likelihood that they will get caught and fined.”

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “We need drivers to hang up their handsets, rather than play with their phones. As well as police forces scheduling targeted enforcement events, the rise in privately owned dashcams, means drivers are more likely to be caught handling their mobile phone. The reality is that someone is always watching.”