Nearly 500,000 drivers risk their lives by using mobile phones on the road

Young people are most likely to use a phone while driving

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

As many as 445,000 people are using mobile phones while driving, new research from the Department of Transport suggests.

Those aged between 17 and 29 were twice as likely to use their phones on the road compared to other age groups and the most common time for drivers to be caught was between 5.30pm and 6pm.

As of March 2017, motorists seen using hand-held phones can face a fine of up to £200 and incur six points on their licence.

According to the Department of Transport, there has been a drop in the number of drivers using their phones in the last three years, but the latest figures show that hundreds of thousands of people continue to flout the laws.

Overall, the research found that 1.1 per cent of drivers in Great Britain were observed using a hand-held phone while driving on weekdays.

Out of these, 0.4 per cent were seen holding the phone to their ear while another 0.8 per cent held it in ther hand.

The number of drivers using phones was significantly greater in Scotland than in England and Wales.

Commenting on the findings, road safety spokesperson for the RAC Pete Williams said they might actually be an underestimation and not fully reflect the extent of the problem.

“As this survey is only carried out every two years we also fear many drivers who might have changed their ways initially due to the increased penalty may have fallen back into their old ways.

“This isn’t helped by the decline in the number of roads police officers as some drivers aren’t as afraid of being caught breaking motoring laws as they once were,” he said, adding that it can be difficult to actually catch someone using their phone illegally while driving.

“While some will blatantly drive and hold their phone to their ear, others will be a lot more covert or will only use a handheld phone very briefly – activities which are still dangerous and against the law.”

The Department for Transport’s latest figures show that 22 people were killed and 99 seriously injured in accidents on Britain’s roads in 2015 where a motorist using a mobile was a contributory factor.

You can find out more information about the laws regarding road safety and driving on your phone here.