Based on new information from the RAC, the proportion of younger drivers who make and obtain unlawful telephone calls whereas driving with out hands-free expertise is at its highest stage in eight years, 21 years after the observe was first made unlawful.
Based on information from the RAC’s 2024 Report on Motoring, 55% of drivers below 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 improve because the information was initially collected in 2016 and a six share level improve 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 overall driving inhabitants, the corresponding charges are solely 14% and 9%, respectively.
The federal government first made utilizing a handheld cell phone or related 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 might show they weren’t utilizing the telephone for ‘interactive communication.’
Once more, the proportion of youthful drivers who break the legislation is way larger: 39% of drivers below 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 below 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 telephone legislation in place, an growing variety of younger drivers look like utilizing their telephones to name, textual content, voice notice 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 legislation will get the message throughout that offenders shall be caught and punished with six penalty factors and a £200 fantastic. 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 by 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 value you or another person their life. Even a momentary distraction might be disastrous, and it’s deeply regarding to see that an growing variety of younger individuals 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 an excessive amount of duty behind the wheel.”
