Many drivers feel less safe on roads than ever before

OFFENCES SUCH as drug-driving and using mobiles while at the wheel are on the increase among younger motorists, according to a survey by the RAC.

As many as 44% of drivers said they felt less safe on the roads this year then ever before.

Citing a major dip in the money the Government is spending on road safety campaigns, the RAC called for a reintroduction of these campaigns “as soon as possible”.

Based on responses from 1,002 motorists, the survey showed that the number of 17 to 24-year-olds who drive after taking drugs has gone up from 5% to 9% in the past 12 months.

As many as 13% of 17 to 24-year-olds had driven, or been a passenger, in a car when the driver was under the influence of drugs in the past year.

Also, there had been a 50% increase in the last year in the number of 25 to 44-year-olds using their smartphones to access email, Facebook and Twitter while at the wheel.

While 44% felt less safe than ever on the roads, only 22% felt safer.

The survey also showed that 61% of motorists believed there were not enough police on the roads, with 23% reckoning they were unlikely to get caught if they broke motoring laws.

Nearly all (95%) wanted to see some kind of driving ban for those who drinkdrive or drug-drive, with around 55% approving of life bans for such offenders.