Motorists call for tougher penalties for drivers using a mobile phone

Following news that the government is considering harsher penalties for motorists who use a mobile phone while driving, research by Direct Line reveals that over two thirds (69 per cent) of British motorists would support measures to increase the number of penalty points or increase fines for drivers caught using a mobile while behind the wheel.

Previous Direct Line research has shown that drivers' reaction times are 30 per cent slower when talking on a hand-held mobile phone compared to being at the legal drink drive limit behind the wheel and nearly 50 per cent slower than when driving under normal driving conditions.

Under current legislation, motorists convicted for using a mobile phone while driving receive three points on their licence and are issued with a £60 fine. Nearly half a million motorists (1.5 per cent) have received penalty points for a mobile phone offence since the penalties were introduced in February 2007. In total, nearly one in ten (9 per cent) motorists who have penalty points has received points for a mobile phone offence.

However, the number of motorists convicted of a mobile phone related motor offence is still in stark contrast to the number who actually uses a handheld mobile while behind the wheel.  The research shows that nearly a sixth (16 per cent) of motorists admit they have made or received calls on a handheld phone while driving over the past 12 months.

Furthermore, on top of this number who admit to making and receiving calls whilst driving, nearly 700,000 motorists (2 per cent) are using their phones to surf the internet and check emails while behind the wheel, as iPhones and PDA devices become increasingly popular.

Andy Goldby, Director of Motor Underwriting at Direct Line, commented: "While its clear that the penalties for driving while using a mobile are being enforced, more needs to be done to deter motorists from this dangerous practice, as our figures show that there is a wide disparity between those admitting to use and those convicted of use. Too many people are either still unaware that using a mobile phone can be a major distraction to their concentration while driving, or are simply ignoring the rules of the road."

The research goes on to show that if those motorists who have received penalty points for a mobile phone offence had been subject to a harsher penalty of six penalty points on their licence rather than the current three points, nearly half (47 per cent) of these drivers would now have at least nine points on their licence and could be facing a ban for a further offence.

Andy Goldby added: "It appears to be primarily those motorists who already flout speed restrictions and other rules of the road that are being caught using a mobile phone while driving, and speeding while using a mobile phone is a potentially lethal combination. If tougher fines and penalty points are introduced, these motorists may start to think twice before making phone calls while behind the wheel.  The drivers that we spoke to when conducting the research would most definitely like to see these inconsiderate drivers penalised further for their selfish and dangerous driving habits. Direct Line would support harsher fines and more points as a way of keeping the roads safe."

For further details on Direct Line Car Insurance, visit directline.com.