On February 27th, 2007, the penalty for using a handheld mobile phone while driving increased to a fixed fine of £60 along with three points. Prior to this, the penalty stood at a £30 fixed fine. Despite subsequent increments in fines, recent data from the RAC Report on Motoring reveals that 25% of drivers across all age brackets acknowledge making or receiving voice calls illegally while driving, a percentage escalating to 49% among those aged 17 to 24.
Further examination indicates that 30% of drivers below the age of 25 confess to engaging in video calls while driving, a notable surge from the 17% reported in 2022. Illicit mobile phone use has now become the fourth most significant motoring concern for UK drivers, trailing behind road conditions, fuel prices, and the general quality of driving nationwide.
In September 2016, RAC research highlighted the widespread nature of illegal mobile phone use among drivers, prompting government intervention and a review of increased penalties. Consequently, in March 2017, the fine was elevated from £100 to £200, accompanied by an augmented penalty of six points on a driver's license.
In 2023, the law underwent further modification to encompass any use of a handheld phone while driving.
Rod Dennis, the RAC road safety spokesman, emphasised that despite the penalties being doubled seven years ago, a considerable number of drivers still endanger lives through this perilous behaviour.
He said, “It’s more than 20 years since it first became illegal to use a handheld phone while driving, and 17 years since the offence was first punishable through penalty points on drivers’ licences.
“Yet despite the penalties having since doubled to six penalty points and a £200 fine seven years ago, it’s clear far too many drivers are still prepared to put lives at risk by engaging in this dangerous practice.
“We suspect the main reason for this is the lack of enforcement which means there is little fear of being caught.
“As it’s impossible to have a police officer on every street corner, we urge more police forces to begin trialling camera-based technology that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law in this way.
“We know from our research that drivers are broadly supportive of cameras being used for this purpose.
“Without the dial being turned up on enforcement, there’s every chance we will never bring about the change needed to curb this behaviour. Ultimately, we have to make using a handheld phone at the wheel as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.”
