Using a handheld mobile phone when behind the wheel is illegal and dangerous. However, according to the latest official data, over 6000 drivers were prosecuted for using a handheld mobile phone in the UK in 2021.

There has been a worrying increase in the number of drivers who admit to regular handheld mobile phone use to make or receive calls, with 12% saying they do this ‘all the time’, ‘most of the time’ or ‘sometimes’ 2023, up from 10% in 2022. A further 13% say they ‘rarely’ make or receive calls in this way while driving.

The RAC Report on Motoring has seen compliance with the law relating to motorists’ mobile phone use increase for all ages from 2022 to 2023.

It should be noted that high levels of media coverage of the issue resulting from its findings in 2016 led to new penalties being introduced in 2017.

However, all age groups except for 25-44 have seen an increase in the number of people making or receiving illegal voice calls when driving.

Non-compliance is particularly notable, and rising, among the under-25s: in this age group, almost half (49%) admit to using a handheld phone for calls while driving, up significantly from 34% in 2022 – the corresponding figure for those aged 65 or older is 13%.

Three-in-10 (30%) of under-25s say they have engaged in a video call while driving – almost double the 17% reported in 2022 – while 19% of this group have taken a photo or recorded a video while at the wheel (16% in 2022).

Most drivers who admit to some form of illegal phone use (60%) say they only do so in stationary traffic where, they believe, such behaviour is not very dangerous – despite this still being against the law. A further 12% maintain they can safely hold and use a mobile phone and drive at the same time.

For the full story visit the RAC website HERE.

(Pic – RAC)