Based on new knowledge from the RAC, the share of younger drivers who make and obtain unlawful cellphone calls whereas driving with out hands-free expertise is at its highest degree in eight years, 21 years after the observe was first made unlawful.
Based on knowledge from the RAC’s 2024 Report on Motoring, 55% of drivers underneath 25 acknowledged making and receiving voice calls whereas working a motorcar, in comparison with 27% of all drivers and solely 16% of drivers 65 and older. This represents a 3 share level enhance because the knowledge was initially collected in 2016 and a six share level enhance from 2023.
40% of youthful drivers reported recording a voice message whereas driving, and 4 out of 10 (43%) reported listening to at least one whereas not utilising hands-free expertise. For the final driving inhabitants, the corresponding charges are solely 14% and 9%, respectively.
The federal government first made utilizing a handheld cell phone or comparable gadget whereas driving unlawful 21 years in the past. It has additionally been greater than two years because it closed a loophole that allowed drivers to keep away from punishment if they may show they weren’t utilizing the cellphone for ‘interactive communication.’
Once more, the share of youthful drivers who break the regulation is way larger: 39% of drivers underneath 25 have bodily checked their messages whereas driving, and almost a 3rd (30%) have taken an image or filmed a video—a pointy rise from 2023’s 19%. In the meantime, in comparison with 30% in 2023 and 17% in 2022, 40% of these underneath 25 have made or acquired a video name whereas driving.
RAC highway security spokesman Rod Dennis mentioned: “It’s extraordinarily regarding that regardless of now having a ‘zero tolerance’ handheld cellphone regulation in place, an rising variety of younger drivers seem like utilizing their telephones to name, textual content, voice word and even video chat whereas working a automobile.
“We suspect a serious motive for that is drivers not believing they’re prone to be caught. However hopefully, rising use of AI cameras which permit police to detect drivers breaking the regulation will get the message throughout that offenders shall be caught and punished with six penalty factors and a £200 positive. For younger drivers who handed their exams within the final two years, this implies shedding their licences.
“Anybody who makes use of a cell phone on the wheel in any approach isn’t just risking their very own lives, however these of their passengers and all different highway customers. The one ‘screentime’ drivers ought to have within the automobile is trying via the windscreen as they deal with the highway.”
Nicholas Lyes, Coverage and Requirements Director for IAM RoadSmart, mentioned: “Utilizing a handheld cell phone behind the wheel is harmful and illegal, and will price you or another person their life. Even a momentary distraction could be disastrous, and it’s deeply regarding to see that an rising variety of younger persons are utilizing their telephones whereas driving – notably to make a video or to take a photograph. Virtually one in 5 drivers killed on our roads are aged 17-24, so motion must be taken, not simply by the police, however by drivers themselves who maintain a substantial amount of accountability behind the wheel.”
