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| 'One in four drivers' still makes or receives calls at wheel | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Nearly one in four drivers in Britain still illegally makes or receives calls while driving, RAC research suggests. | |
| This is despite the doubling of penalties for the offence in March 2017, to six points and a £200 fine. | This is despite the doubling of penalties for the offence in March 2017, to six points and a £200 fine. |
| More than 1,700 drivers were questioned in the survey - with 23% admitting illegally making or receiving calls. | |
| The research also suggests that 40% of drivers check texts, email and social media while sitting in traffic - despite the fact it is against the law. | The research also suggests that 40% of drivers check texts, email and social media while sitting in traffic - despite the fact it is against the law. |
| The motoring group has labelled the problem an "epidemic". | The motoring group has labelled the problem an "epidemic". |
| 'Hardcore of offenders' | 'Hardcore of offenders' |
| Only one in 10 said they did not know about harsher penalties for being caught. | Only one in 10 said they did not know about harsher penalties for being caught. |
| RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: "It is clear we have a hardcore of persistent offenders who believe they can get away with it." | RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: "It is clear we have a hardcore of persistent offenders who believe they can get away with it." |
| The number of people who illegally make or receive calls is falling - from 31% in 2016 to 23% this year. | The number of people who illegally make or receive calls is falling - from 31% in 2016 to 23% this year. |
| Of those who were aware of the tougher penalties, 58% said they had never used their phone illegally behind the wheel. | Of those who were aware of the tougher penalties, 58% said they had never used their phone illegally behind the wheel. |
| Another 16% said they had stopped completely since the law change. | Another 16% said they had stopped completely since the law change. |
| Of the 15% of drivers who the RAC calls "hardcore" law breakers, 57% were men. | Of the 15% of drivers who the RAC calls "hardcore" law breakers, 57% were men. |
| By Richard Westcott, transport correspondent | By Richard Westcott, transport correspondent |
| These numbers have fallen compared with last year, but the impact of doubling the punishment clearly hasn't deterred millions of drivers from breaking the law. | These numbers have fallen compared with last year, but the impact of doubling the punishment clearly hasn't deterred millions of drivers from breaking the law. |
| One in 10 told the RAC that they did it because "I can get away with it", which is why the group says a big drop in traffic police numbers is partly to blame. | One in 10 told the RAC that they did it because "I can get away with it", which is why the group says a big drop in traffic police numbers is partly to blame. |
| It's interesting how many people still check their phone whilst sitting still in traffic. The fact that nothing's moving clearly makes it feel safer - but beware, it is still illegal. | It's interesting how many people still check their phone whilst sitting still in traffic. The fact that nothing's moving clearly makes it feel safer - but beware, it is still illegal. |
| Last year, this survey had the state of the roads as drivers' number one worry. Now it's people using their mobile phones. | Last year, this survey had the state of the roads as drivers' number one worry. Now it's people using their mobile phones. |
| It's still OK if you have a proper hands-free unit. | It's still OK if you have a proper hands-free unit. |
| The RAC report also raised concerns about the fall in the number of road policing officers, which it described as a "massive" 30% between 2007 and 2016. | The RAC report also raised concerns about the fall in the number of road policing officers, which it described as a "massive" 30% between 2007 and 2016. |
| Mr Williams says the RAC fears the problem of mobile use may get worse as a result of this fall. | Mr Williams says the RAC fears the problem of mobile use may get worse as a result of this fall. |