Four in ten young drivers answer video calls while driving

Shocking new figures from the RAC reveal widespread illegal mobile phone use while driving by young drivers.

The proportion of young drivers illegally making and receiving phone calls while driving without hands-free technology is at its highest level in eight years, according to new data from the 2024 Automotive Report.

More than half (55%) of drivers under the age of 25 admitted to making and receiving voice calls while driving, compared to 27% of all drivers and only 16% of drivers aged 65 or older.

This represents an increase of six percentage points from 2023 and three percentage points since 2016, when the data was first recorded.

There has also been an alarming increase in the number of drivers taking photos and/or recording videos.

In 2024, almost one in ten drivers (8%) admit to having done so in the last 12 months, compared to 5% in 2023 and 2022.

Failure to comply with the law is once again significantly higher among younger drivers, with 39% of under-25s having manually checked messages while driving while almost a third (30%) have taken a photo or recorded a video, a sharp increase compared to the 19 of 2023.%.

At the same time, 40% of those under 25 have made or received a video call while driving, compared to 30% in 2023 and 17% in 2022.

Furthermore, four in 10 young drivers (43%) say they have listened to a voice message while driving without using their hands-free, while 40% have recorded such a message.

The corresponding rates for the entire automobile population are only 14% and 9%, respectively.

The findings come 21 years after the government first made it an offense to use a mobile phone or similar device while driving – and more than two years after closing a loophole that previously allowed drivers to ‘escape any sanction if they could demonstrate that they were not using a mobile phone. the telephone for “interactive communication”.

Looking at other types of cell phone use by motorists of all age groups, 15% of all drivers have checked their messages on their phone, and one in ten (10%) say they have used their phone for writing SMS, emails or social networks. media publications while driving.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “It is extremely concerning that, despite a ‘zero tolerance’ mobile phone law being in place, an increasing number of young people Drivers appear to use their phones to call, text, voice notes or even video chat. while driving a vehicle. »

A fifth (22%) of all drivers surveyed in the RAC study said that other drivers using mobile phones while driving is one of their biggest driving concerns, representing the sixth biggest concern overall in the report.

Furthermore, more than three-quarters of drivers (77%) say they would like to see the widespread use of cameras designed to detect illegal phone use while driving, a rate which drops only slightly, to 67% among those under age 25 years old.

This year, trials of new artificial intelligence (AI) cameras that can identify drivers who are not wearing seat belts or using cell phones while driving have been expanded.

Home Office figures released last week showed the number of fines for using a mobile phone while driving increased by a third (33%) last year, from 27,776 in 2022 to 36,842 in 2023.

There were 23 deaths on UK roads in 2023 where a driver using a mobile phone was considered a contributing factor to the collision, compared to 18 in 2019.

Additionally, distraction and impairment account for more than a third (34.9%) of all fatal collisions, according to the latest official figures.

Dennis said: “We suspect that one of the main reasons for this is that drivers do not believe they are likely to be stopped. But it is hoped that the growing use of AI cameras which allow police to detect drivers breaking the law will send out the message that offenders will be caught and punished with six penalty points and a £200 fine .

“For young drivers who have passed their tests in the last two years, this means losing their license.”

He continues: “Anyone who uses a mobile phone while driving in any way is not only risking their own life, but that of their passengers and all other road users.

“The only ‘screen time’ drivers should have in the car is looking through the windshield while focusing on the road. »

Nicholas Lyes, Director of Policy and Standards at IAM RoadSmart, added: “Using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous and illegal, and could cost you or someone else’s life.

“Even a momentary distraction can be disastrous, and it is deeply worrying that an increasing number of young people are using their phones while driving, including to make a video or take a photo.

“Nearly one in five drivers killed on our roads is aged 17 to 24. Action must therefore be taken, not only by the police, but also by the drivers themselves, who bear great responsibility behind the wheel.