Majority of Drivers Unaware of Fines for Mobile Use Behind the Wheel

Almost two-thirds of drivers are unaware of the potential cost of using their mobile phone while driving, despite laws and penalties being introduced fifteen years ago.

A survey by the RAC found that a staggering 64% of motorists do not know the consequences that they could face by breaking the law. What's more 26% of those surveyed did not realise that tougher penalties were introduced in March, including an increased fine of £200 and six points on the driver's license.

With knowledge of the law low among drivers, it is perhaps no surprise that 31% voiced the opinion that the current penalties are not strong enough to deter mobile phone misuse. As many as 41% thought that more visible law enforcement was needed to drive a change in behaviour, while 22% advocated even stronger measures and increased penalties.

Accident figures from the Department for Transport show an overall rise in the number of fatal collisions caused by motorists using their phone behind the wheel – up to 32 in 2016 from 22 in 2015. In the four years between 2012 and 2016, 2,210 accidents of all road collisions in the UK involved a mobile phone.

Commenting on the survey, RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “Despite extensive publicity and awareness-raising campaigns run at both a local and national level, it is remarkable that such a high proportion of drivers seemingly remain unaware of the current penalties for using a handheld phone at the wheel.

“The law around handheld phone use by drivers, and the penalties associated with ignoring it could not be clearer. Yet every year there are dozens of fatal crashes caused by motorists who have allowed themselves to be distracted by their phone.”

Those surveyed had some ideas about how to solve the issue, with some 18% supporting blocking mobile signal in cars. A further 10% suggested that more campaigns were needed to raise public awareness in not only the fines and penalties, but also the amount of lives lost.

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