Police publish mobile phone car accident stats

Thursday 29 December 2016

Jersey Police say of the 16 fatal road traffic accidents in the Island in the past seven years there’s no evidence to show any of those involved was on their mobile phone.

In response to a Freedom of Information request the Police go on to say there is an average of 400 RTCs (road traffic collisions) every year. But once again, there is no evidence that anyone who’s been involved in any of these incidents over the past six years was on their phone.

The Police comment: “...mobile phones are routinely seized at any fatal RTC following ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers’) guidelines issued in 2014. The seizing of mobile phones at non-fatal RTC’s must be proportional, necessary and reasonable given the circumstances, the accounts of witnesses or other evidence that may lead to suspicion that the driver was using a mobile telephone at the time of the collision.”

Asked specifically to account for the 16 fatal collisions the Police say eight involved excessive speed and three were caused by sudden medical issues with the driver, for example a heart attack. The Police go on to say “in these and one other case, there was no evidence of mobile phone use and it was deemed examination had no relevance to the incident. In three cases, the mobile phone of the driver was examined but in each case, it was concluded to have no relevance to the incident. One other case is ongoing and no details can be released at this time.”