Illegal phone use behind the wheel surges among UK drivers
Motorists caught watching films on mobile phones while driving on motorways
Illegal mobile phone use by drivers for activities beyond voice calls has reached an eight-year high in the UK, matching 2018 peaks.
A survey commissioned by the RAC found 15 per cent of motorists admitted to browsing, texting, or posting on social media while driving.
More concerningly, 9 per cent of respondents reported watching, recording or livestreaming videos while driving, a figure that rises to 27 per cent among under-25s.
Home Office data reveals 40,723 convictions in England and Wales for handheld mobile phone use while driving in 2024, the highest since 2016.
Road safety experts express deep concern over these trends, highlighting that 21 people were killed in crashes in 2024 where mobile phone use was a contributing factor.
