Mobile misdemeanours

Four in ten mobile phone users are breaking the law by using their phone while driving, according to a survey by which.co.uk.

A third of those surveyed (33 per cent) have illegally made or received a call while driving in the last 12 months. Additionally, a third (32 per cent) have read or sent a text message while driving – also against the law.

However, motorists seem to be clear on the penalties for breaking the law. In a separate survey of Which? members, nine out of ten were aware that the fine for using a mobile without a hands-free kit when driving was increased to £60 and three penalty points in February.

Though there is confusion about how the law applies. Two fifths of the Which? members surveyed thought motorists were never allowed to use a mobile phone without a hands-free kit while driving, but only one in ten knew that drivers can use a mobile whilst driving to call emergency numbers 999 or 112.

Richard Headland, Which? motoring editor, said: “Although people seem to be aware of the higher penalties for mobile phone use behind the wheel, many either don’t understand or don’t obey the revised law.

“The penalties for using a handheld phone when driving are now stiffer, but to be effective the government must change driver behaviour through better education as well as enforcement.”