Despite it now being 21 years since the Government first made it an offence to use a handheld mobile phone or similar device while driving, the number of young drivers illegally using their phone to text, call, voice note or, shockingly, even video chat is at its highest rate in 8 years.
This is according to new data from the RAC, whose figures from the 2024 Report on Motoring show that more than half (55%) of drivers under 25 admitted to making and receiving voice calls behind the wheel, compared to 27% of the overall driving population and just 16% of those aged 65 or older. This is up six percentage points on 2023 and three percentage points since 2016 when the data was first recorded.
Four in 10 (43%) younger motorists also said they have listened to a voice note while driving without using hands-free while 40% have recorded such a message. The rates for the overall driving population are just 14% and 9% respectively.
Following the same trend, non-compliance with the laws on handheld phone use is significantly higher among younger drivers, with 39% of under-25s having checked messages manually when driving while almost a third (30%) have taken a picture or recorded a video, a steep increase on 2023’s 19%. Meanwhile, 40% of under-25s have made or received a video call while driving, up from 30% in 2023 and 17% in 2022.
Mobile phone use when behind the wheel poses serious risk. It could cost you, or someone else, their life. There were 23 fatalities on the UK’s roads in 2023 where a driver using a mobile phone was deemed to be a contributing factor in the collision, up from 18 in 2019.
IAM RoadSmart backs the expanding operational use of AI cameras to crack down on the rising number of young people using their mobile phones at the wheel.
RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It’s extremely concerning that despite now having a ‘zero tolerance’ handheld phone law in place, an increasing number of young drivers appear to be using their phones to call, text, voice note or even video chat while operating a vehicle.
“We suspect a major reason for this is drivers not believing they are likely to be caught. But hopefully, growing use of AI cameras which allow police to detect drivers breaking the law will get the message across that offenders will be caught and punished with six penalty points and a £200 fine. For young drivers who passed their tests in the last two years, this means losing their licences.
“Anyone who uses a mobile phone at the wheel in any way is not just risking their own lives, but those of their passengers and all other road users. The only ‘screentime’ drivers should have in the car is looking through the windscreen as they focus on the road.”
Nicholas Lyes, policy and standards director for IAM RoadSmart, comments: “Even a momentary distraction can be disastrous, and it is deeply concerning to see that an increasing number of young people are using their phones while driving – particularly to make a video or to take a photo.
“Almost one in five drivers killed on our roads are aged 17-24, so action needs to be taken, not just by the police, but by drivers themselves who hold a great deal of responsibility behind the wheel.”
Two top tips for business drivers this festive season:
Do not multitask – even the shortest phone call takes your attention away from the road. Fleet drivers may find themselves under pressure to multi-task, especially during the festive season rush. But it’s important to remember that managing these risks, in conjunction with often-tricky winter weather conditions, results in a safer environment for all road users.
Maintain maximum focus – most crashes happen in home territory, so ensure familiarity does not creep in on frequently travelled routes. Glancing away from the road to check your phone for just a second can make you miss a vital hazard leading to a potentially dangerous situation.
IAM RoadSmart offers highly effective solutions to mitigate risks from distractions for drivers and fleet managers. Get in touch if you’d like more advice on how to enhance your fleet safety and protect your drivers.
