The RAC is calling for stronger punishments for people who use their mobile phone when driving, 17 years after the law were strengthened.
Before February 27, 2007, the punishment for using a handheld device when at the wheel was just a £30 fixed penalty, although punishments have become more expensive.
The latest data from the RAC found that 25 per cent of drivers across all age groups admit to making or receiving voice calls illegally when driving.
This figure rises dramatically for those between 17 and 24, with 49 per cent of those admitting to being on their phones.
Experts are calling for harsher mobile phone punishments
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Further issues include almost a third of motorists under the age of 25 admitting to video calling when driving, up from 17 per cent just two years ago.
Laws were tightened in March 2022 to crack down on drivers using their phones in any way, including illuminating the screen, checking notifications, using the camera or accessing the internet.
Drivers will now be hit with a minimum penalty of £200 as well as six penalty points on their licence.
Rod Dennis, road safety spokesperson for the RAC, said too many drivers were putting lives at risk, despite the strengthened punishments.
He added: “We suspect the main reason for this is the lack of enforcement which means there is little fear of being caught.
“As it’s impossible to have a police officer on every street corner, we urge more police forces to begin trialling camera-based technology that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law in this way.
“We know from our research that drivers are broadly supportive of cameras being used for this purpose."
The research, from the RAC’s Report on Motoring, found that illegal phone use is now the fourth biggest overall concern for UK drivers.
This is only behind other issues including the state of the roads, fuel prices and the poor standard of driving across the UK.
Dennis highlighted the importance of strong punishments to stop people from repeating behaviour and using their phones at the wheel.
He said: “Without the dial being turned up on enforcement, there’s every chance we will never bring about the change needed to curb this behaviour.
“Ultimately, we have to make using a handheld phone at the wheel as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.”
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Laws were strengthened in March 2022 to increase the cost of the fine
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In 2021, one per cent of all motorists were observed using a mobile phone while driving on weekdays in Great Britain, according to Government data.
Rates of phone use at the wheel were estimated to be slightly lower in Scotland compared to rates seen in England and Wales.
