END THE MOBILE MADNESS

51 per cent; and West Yorkshire Police, down 50 per cent.

Since March 1 last year, motorists caught using phones face six points on their licence and a £200 fine – up from three points and £100.

Drivers can lose their licence if they receive 12 points within three years or six points in the first two years after passing their test.

The Government’s decision to impose a tougher punishment on drivers followed the Daily Mail’s hard-hitting End The Mobile Madness campaign.

This was launched after a series of deaths caused by reckless drivers who were talking on the phone or texting at the time.

March last year saw the most penalties issued for mobile use as many forces cracked down on the offence. The 8,500 caught that month compared with 1,400 in December, when police focused on drinkdriving over the festive period.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: ‘While some have got the message and changed their behaviour, many drivers still believe they won’t get caught.’

Separate research from the RAC found that nearly one in five firms say employees have been involved in an accident while using a phone illegally on their commute.

A survey of 1,000 businesses in the UK found that 5 per cent admit that this happens ‘on a regular basis’.

Data from the Department for Transport shows that 780 people were injured in accidents when a driver was distracted or impaired by their phone in 2016 – up 10 per cent on the year before.

Men are the biggest culprits, committing some 81 per cent of offences, according to insurance company Admiral.

The firm also warned that guilty drivers could see their insurance premium almost double and that their cover may even be withdrawn.