New data reveals a startling increase in the number of motorists illegally using handheld mobile phones while driving, with figures climbing to their highest in eight years. In 2024, a staggering 40,723 individuals in England and Wales faced convictions for this dangerous behaviour, highlighting a growing trend that poses significant risks on the roads.
Disturbing Survey Results
A recent survey conducted by the RAC sheds light on this escalating issue. Among the 2,238 motorists surveyed, 15 per cent admitted to engaging in activities beyond voice calls, such as browsing the internet, texting, or posting on social media while behind the wheel. This figure matches the peak recorded in 2018, a sharp contrast to the low of just 7 per cent noted in 2021.
Even more concerning is the revelation that one in eleven respondents—9 per cent—have watched or recorded videos, or even livestreamed, during their drives over the past year. This marks an increase from 5 per cent in 2024 and is particularly prevalent among younger drivers, with those under 25 reporting a rise from 23 per cent to 27 per cent engaging in such reckless behaviour.
Young Drivers at Greater Risk
The survey highlights that young motorists are the most likely offenders when it comes to illegal phone use. Nearly half (49 per cent) of respondents aged under 25 confessed to receiving calls without a hands-free setup, while 39 per cent admitted to typing messages or social media posts while driving.
Interestingly, the only illegal phone usage that appears to have decreased this year is the act of making or receiving voice calls without a hands-free device, dropping from 27 per cent in 2024 to 20 per cent in the latest findings.
Rising Casualties on the Roads
The implications of this rise in mobile phone usage while driving are dire. Recent statistics from the Department for Transport indicate that 21 individuals lost their lives in road accidents in 2024, where a driver using a mobile phone was noted as a contributing factor. This grim reality underscores the urgent need for a cultural shift in how drivers perceive the use of mobile devices behind the wheel.
Rod Dennis, a senior policy officer at the RAC, expressed concern over the findings. “There’s been a marked increase in the proportion of drivers—especially the young—admitting to using handheld mobile phones behind the wheel for all sorts of risky activities, including posting on social media and even livestreaming,” he stated. “While the penalties for being caught may be stricter than before, they clearly aren’t enough to deter many drivers from this dangerous practice.”
Jo Shiner, Chief Constable and lead for roads policing at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, echoed these sentiments. “The rise in illegal handheld mobile phone use is deeply concerning, particularly among younger drivers where usage is significantly above average,” she said. “These behaviours take attention away from the road at critical moments and are not just lapses in judgment—they are reckless actions that endanger everyone.”
A High-Profile Case
The issue was brought into sharper focus last week when Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was convicted for watching a video on his phone while driving on the M6. This case serves as a reminder that even those in the public eye are not immune to the dangers and consequences of distracted driving.
Why it Matters
The increasing prevalence of illegal mobile phone use while driving not only places the lives of drivers at risk but also endangers passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. As the statistics reveal a worrying trend, it is crucial for society to address this behaviour through effective education and stringent enforcement measures. With lives at stake, the need for a comprehensive cultural shift towards safer driving practices has never been more urgent.
