Mobile phone use behind the wheel reaches eight-year high, RAC warns

The number of motorists admitting to illegal handheld mobile phone use while driving has risen to its highest level in eight years, according to new research from the RAC, raising fresh concerns about road safety and driver distraction across the UK’s road network.

The latest findings reveal that 15% of drivers admit to using a handheld phone to browse the internet, send messages or access social media while driving. The figure has increased steadily since the end of the pandemic and now matches levels last seen in 2018. Meanwhile, one in five drivers acknowledge checking messages or notifications behind the wheel, the highest proportion recorded since 2016.

The RAC’s annual survey highlights a notable shift in driver behaviour. While fewer motorists report making handheld phone calls, more are engaging in activities that require sustained visual attention, including texting, filming videos, browsing online content and interacting with social media platforms. Industry experts warn that these behaviours present a significant risk to road users due to the level of distraction involved.

Younger Drivers Remain the Most At-Risk Group

The research suggests younger motorists continue to be the most likely to use mobile phones illegally while driving.

Among drivers aged under 25, almost four in ten admit to typing messages or social media posts while at the wheel, while more than four in ten have made or received video calls during journeys. The proportion of younger drivers recording videos or taking photographs while driving has also increased significantly compared with previous years.

These trends are causing concern among road safety organisations, particularly as younger drivers already face elevated collision risks due to limited driving experience.

Enforcement and Collision Data Highlight Ongoing Challenge

The findings come as enforcement activity against mobile phone offences continues to increase.

Official figures show that more than 40,000 drivers in England and Wales were convicted of handheld mobile phone offences in 2024, representing the highest number recorded since 2016. Police forces are increasingly deploying roadside technology and targeted enforcement operations to identify offenders.

The consequences of distraction can be severe. Department for Transport statistics recorded hundreds of collisions in which mobile phone use was identified as a contributory factor during 2024, including incidents resulting in fatalities.

Tougher Laws, Persistent Non-Compliance

UK legislation prohibits drivers from holding and using a mobile phone or any device capable of sending or receiving data while driving. The rules, strengthened in 2022, cover activities such as texting, browsing the internet, taking photographs, recording videos and gaming, even when stationary in traffic. Offenders face a £200 fine and six penalty points, with newly qualified drivers at risk of losing their licence.

Despite these penalties, compliance remains a challenge. Road safety campaigners argue that continued education, stronger enforcement and emerging technologies such as AI-enabled detection cameras will be essential in reducing illegal phone use and improving safety across the strategic and local road network.

Industry Calls for Greater Awareness

The latest figures serve as a reminder that driver distraction remains a major road safety issue. While advances in vehicle technology continue to support safer driving, industry bodies stress that no technology can compensate for a driver’s attention being diverted from the road.

With handheld phone use continuing to rise, transport and road safety organisations are urging motorists to eliminate unnecessary distractions and focus solely on driving, helping to reduce collisions and improve safety for all road users.