Drivers are making calls, taking selfies and tweeting behind the wheel in record numbers, according to the RAC's Report on Motoring 2016.
An estimated 11 million motorists have admitted to making or receiving a call in the last 12 months and a further five million have taken photos or videos while driving.
Research by the RAC found attitudes to mobile phone use behind the wheel have relaxed over the last two years with those who say it is acceptable doubling from 7 per cent in 2014 to 14 per cent now. The percentage who are happy to check social media in stationary traffic, at lights or in congestion has increased from 14 per cent to 20 per cent, too.
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A third of drivers admitted they've used a mobile for calls - and not with a handsfree system - while one in five admitted they'd sent a text, e-mail or posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Unsurprisingly, the use was highest among drivers aged 17 to 24.
Reasons given for using phones while driving included drivers claiming it was an emergency and needing information for the journey. Others, though, said it was simply a habit and that everyone else does it, while some said it was ok because they knew they could get away with it - despite it carrying a £100 fine and penalty points.
'Biggest motoring gripe of 2016'
Despite so many admitting to using phones behind the wheel, it was ranked by the same survey respondents as their top concern, making it the nation's biggest motoring gripe of 2016.
It's not just an irritation, either, as research by the Transport Research Laboratory has previously found drivers using a phone had reaction times 30 per cent slower than those who had exceeded the current drink drive limit. Crash statistics from the Department for Transport also show that in 2014 a driver impaired or distracted by their handsets was identified as a "contributory factory" in 21 road deaths and 384 serious accidents in the UK.
As a result, the Government is currently consulting on plans to increase the minimum fine to £150 with four penalty points rather than three for non-HGV drivers and from three to six points for HGV drivers.
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The RAC said this is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done and a cultural change is needed. Road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: "It is alarming to see that some drivers have clearly relaxed their attitudes to the risks associated with this behaviour but more worryingly is the increase in the percentage of motorists who actually admit to using a handheld device when driving.
“With compliance on some traffic laws including the use of handheld mobile phones seemingly getting worse, the RAC calls for an end to cuts to dedicated roads policing and urges the Government and chief constables to give greater priority to enforcement of road traffic laws.
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“The RAC is also calling on the Government to invest in a high profile awareness campaign to highlight the danger of using a handheld phone at the wheel and to drive home the message that it simply won’t be tolerated.
“With the advent of a new era in gaming and augmented reality apps like Pokémon Go which attracts young and old fans, we need to address the temptation which some feel unable to resist, and make the use of handheld phones while driving an absolute no-go.”
What's your view on the issue of motorists using phones at the wheel and how to stop it? Let us know in the comments...
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