Thousands of drivers are continuing to flout mobile phone laws, despite higher fines and penalty points on licences, according to Thames Valley Police. Police admitted they were disappointed by the high level of offending. Malcolm Collis, head of the Specialist Units, Thames Valley Police Roads Policing Department, said: "We've had all sorts of excuses, like: 'I was trying to see if I could spot myself on the IDR camera page on the Council's new mobile phone information service' and 'We've not moved in this queue for The Oracle for the last 20 minutes, so we thought we counted as stationary'."

The cash-strapped Thames Valley Police is offering safety classes as an alternative to a £60 fine and three penalty points. Mr. Collis continued: "The course costs £74, the fixed penalty fine is £60, so that's an extra £14 in profit. Every little helps!"