UK Motorists Using Their Phones While Driving In Record Numbers

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said it wanted a blend of “education and enforcement”, to stop phone use while driving.

“This is radical. One text and you’re out”.

Christopher Gard, a 30-year-old van driver with eight previous convictions for using his phone at the wheel, was last week jailed for nine years for striking and killing a cyclist seconds after reading a text message.

New drivers could also be made to retake their test if they are caught just once.

The change will mean newly-qualified drivers, who lose their license if they accrue six points within their first two years, will have their licence revoked after a single offence.

Data from the Department for Transport also show that in 2014 a driver impaired or distracted by their mobile phone was identified as a “contributory factor” in 21 fatal road accidents, 84 serious and 387 slight accidents in the UK.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling pledged to introduce tougher sanctions for illegal mobile phone use as soon as possible.

“It may seem harmless when you are replying to a text, answering a call or using an app, but the truth is your actions could kill and cause untold misery to others”.

A further 26 per cent of drivers have checked texts, emails or social media while moving, 19 per cent of who physically wrote and sent correspondence themselves. Phone use was highest among drivers aged 17 to 24.

The number of United Kingdom drivers who use mobile phones behind the wheels has quadrupled in the last two years as drivers do not fear being caught.

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said toughening both the fine and the penalty points would help to deter people from committing an offence in the first place.

The figures also show that 20 per cent of drivers think it is acceptable to check social media on their phone when in stationary traffic, compared to 14 per cent in 2014.

The Government announcement represents a substantial increase in the penalty attached to being caught using a mobile phone when driving with the current deterrents sitting at a £100 fine and 3 licence penalty points. This is drivers using their phones with their hands, rather than through a hands-free set.

Between 2010 and 2015, the number of full-time dedicated roads policing officers outside of London declined by 27% to 3901.

Research for the RAC’s Report on Motoring 2016 has revealed that for some, attitudes towards handheld mobile use have worryingly relaxed over the last two years.

Matthew Ritchie, of North Walsham, was jailed for four years two years ago after he admitted causing the death of Dawn Bartlett, 61, by unsafe driving.