Millions of drivers in specific age group keep making vital mistake, RAC warns – they risk £200 fine & 6 penalty points
MILLIONS of drivers are making a vital mistake when behind the wheel – and it could cost them a £200 fine and even 6 penalty points.
According to the data collected by the RAC, younger motorists are making and receiving phone calls without hands-free tech at the highest rate in eight years.
The motoring body’s 2024 report showed that 55% of drivers under 25 admitted to making and receiving calls while driving.
That’s compared to 27% of all drivers and 16% of those aged 65 or older.
Curiously, that figure is up six percent from 2023.
What’s more, 43% of young drivers have listened to a voice note while driving without hands-free, and 40% have recorded one.
This comes some 21 years after the government made using a handheld mobile phone while driving illegal.
It’s also been over two years since they closed the loophole that allowed some drivers to avoid punishment.
Reading deeper into the stats, it appears that 15% of drivers have checked messages while behind the wheel, while 10% have written texts, emails, or social media posts.
Bizarrely, nearly 10% of drivers have admitted to taking photos or filming videos while driving in 2024 – which is up from 5% in 2023 and 2022.
These figures are noticeably higher among younger drivers – with 39% of motorists aged under 25 checking messages, and 30% taking photos or videos.
Furthermore, 40% have made or received a video call while driving, up from 30% in 2023.
Rod Dennis, the RAC road safety spokesman, 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, the 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.”
Indeed, AI “spy” cameras are now being used to catch drivers on their phones or not wearing seatbelts – with thousands of the stealth traps popping up nation-wide.
The smart tech cameras are mounted on vehicles or roadside bollards and take secret snaps inside motorists’ cars.
The pictures reveal drivers committing various offences, including calling and texting on their phones – while one is seen with the passenger seatbelt illegally clicked into the driver’s seat.
The new “Heads Up” cameras, made by tech company Acusensus, were trialled over a five-week period in Greater Manchester.
During that time, 3,200 people were caught on their phones or without their seatbelts on.
Nine other police forces across the UK are also trialling the innovative technology.