Using phones behind the wheel hits seven-year high
The number of drivers who admit to using their phones behind the wheel has more than doubled since 2021 and is still rising year-on-year.
According to data from the RAC, 15% of motorists now admit to using their phones to browse the internet, text or post on social media.
This is the highest level since 2018 and shows a worrying upwards trend in the last five years after falling to just seven per cent in 2021.
The data found that 20% admit to checking messages or notifications while driving, 12% have taken a photo and nine per cent have recorded a video or livestreamed.
Meanwhile, younger drivers are by far the most likely age group to engage in illegal mobile phone use, with 49% making or receiving calls without a hands-free kit, 39% sending a message or posting on social media, 42% making or receiving video calls, and 30% using their phone camera. A further 22% admit to playing a game on their phone while driving.
Serious problem
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Our research shows there’s been a marked increase in the proportion of drivers admitting to using handheld mobile phones behind the wheel for all sorts of risky activities, including posting on social media and even livestreaming.
“The penalties if caught might be tougher now than they were in the past, but they clearly aren’t enough to stop a lot of drivers brazenly using their phones illegally.
“The government’s recently published Road Safety Strategy states the proportion of drivers using a mobile phone will be tracked every three years as one of 17 new Safety Performance Indicators. But our figures already confirm how big an issue this is, so we urge policymakers to consider what needs to be done now to tackle this very serious problem.”
