Policing Distracted Driving

This book draws on original research and existing theoretical perspectives and frameworks to critically examine the role of roads policing and its place within the wider field of policing. It looks at the challenges and complexities of doing roads policing and experiencing roads policing from the perspectives of police officers and the public. It uses distracted driving, and more specifically mobile phone use, as an evidence-based case study for a common issue to examine the contribution it makes to collisions, and the challenges of policing it as a driver behaviour. It also discusses broader issues such as the role of roads policing, police legitimacy, the interpretation of law, the interpretation of risk and generating compliance with the law. It speaks to both policing scholars and practitioners, as well as policy makers and road safety organisations.
Leanne Savigar-Shaw is Senior Lecturer in Policing at Staffordshire University, UK. After completing a BSc and MSc in Psychology, she progressed to a PhD in Criminology focusing upon driver education and mobile phone use by drivers. She has since been involved in a number of research projects concerning mobile phone use by drivers, speeding, road safety, police legitimacy and procedural justice, and has wider research interests in the policing of the roads.

Helen Wells is Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Keele, UK. After completing a BA and MA in Criminology, she progressed to a PhD in Criminology focusing on the public debate around the use of speed cameras. Helen has been researching roads policing for over 20 years and has completed funded projects on topics such as ANPR, speed cameras, ‘dash cam’ evidence submission, uninsured driving, PCC attitudes to roads policing, and distracted driving.