The force gave out 792 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) in 2024. Personal injury claim experts Accident Claims Advice gathered data showing that this was a whopping 103% increase on the 391 FPNs issued the year before.
On top of that, 2025 data shows that South Wales drivers had already triggered 209 more fines for using their phones by the middle of May this year.
This means that negligent drivers have been hit with £278,400 worth of fines in just over two years for using devices while driving.
In comparison, nearby force North Wales Police only issued 886 fines, worth £177,200, in the same period, while Gwent Police passed out 1,102 FPNs between April 2023 and March 2025. Dyfed-Powys Police declined to share data.
A law against making mobile phone calls or sending messages while driving in Great Britain has been in place since 2003.
However, three years ago, the law became stricter, meaning that any use of a handheld device would trigger an offence, resulting in a £200 fine and six penalty points on your licence.
If the driver does not pay the fine, they can be prosecuted in court, where they could be made to pay as much as £1,000.
What’s more, South Wales Police also disclosed that one fine was issued to the supervisor of a provisional driver – which, it confirmed, is still considered an offence because they assume responsibility for the learner driver.
The force added that use of a mobile phone was a contributory factor in 15 road traffic accidents that have caused injuries since 2023.
Accident Claims Advice solicitor Michael Higgins said: “The number of mobile phone driving offences is extremely worrying – especially given the potentially devastating consequences of someone not paying full attention when operating a vehicle.
“A road traffic accident caused by someone looking at their phone while driving could turn a person’s life upside down in a split second.
“It’s important that they know that legal support is available to them if they want to seek compensation for the harm they suffered.”
