Drivers back on phones as fine threat wears off

USE of mobile phones at the wheel has ‘rocketed’ as the deterrent of tougher penalties wears off, a report warned yesterday.

Since March 2017, motorists caught using a handheld phone have faced six points on their licence and a £200 fine – up from three points and £100.

This followed a campaign led by the Daily Mail and the RAC. But after an initial improvement, the RAC has now warned that drivers are ‘returning to their old ways’.

The motoring group said this was particularly evident among younger motorists. The survey of 1,800 drivers found nearly half of 25 to 34-year-olds admitted illegally making or receiving calls behind the wheel, up seven percentage points year-on-year. Three in ten aged 35 to 44 say they use a phone to send texts, post on social media or check emails while driving, up 10 percentage points.

RAC spokesman Pete Williams said: ‘We fear any benefits have run their course with this data showing illegal use is now rocketing among some groups.’ Motoring organisations have blamed a fall in traffic police numbers.