Fifth of young drivers admit video- calling behind wheel

NEARLY one in five young drivers admits to video- calling while behind the wheel, a poll found.

The RAC, which commissioned the survey of 3,068 drivers, warned that the popularity of video- calling services such as FaceTime, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp poses a “new, clear and present danger” on UK roads.

Its research indicated that 18 per cent of motorists aged 17- 24 had used them while driving.

It is an issue which concerned 32 per cent of those polled, while 79 per cent want camera technology introduced to catch drivers.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “The problem of illegal phone use at the wheel has far from disappeared. This type of communication represents a new, clear and present danger.”

Last year, 18 road deaths and 135 serious injuries were linked to mobile phone use on British roads.