You know, I believe this to be a likelihood in most countries and not just in the West. When you are yacking away on the phone and happen to be behind the wheel, chances are high that an accident just just around the corner.

The number of motoring offences in England and Wales has hit a record 13.5m - one for every other car and lorry on the road. Home Office figures published yesterday show that more than 11m fixed penalty notices were issued in 2004, 7m by parking wardens.

The figures were released as the lord chancellor announced that courts are to stop dealing with low-level motoring offences, including speeding, because it takes an average of 153 days to deal with each case. The role will be taken over by a “processing centre” within months. It will also deal with TV licence evasion. Source: Guardian Unlimited