One in 20 drivers in the North West admit to using phone whilst driving

5.6% admitted to using their handheld devices while driving

Harsher punishments of six points and a £200 fine for using a mobile phone while driving were introduced in the UK over two years ago, but has the amount of those who use their mobiles behind the wheel decreased?

New research unearthed by DPP Law reveals that actually, the percentage of those who use their phones while driving could have actually increased. Findings from the Department of Transport earlier this year reported that 1.1% of drivers in the UK were found to be driving while using their phones.

However, the recent survey data shows an increase of over 400% increase: with 5.6% saying they are still texting or calling whilst driving – even since the updated laws were introduced.

The survey, which asked 1,000 people in the North West region: “have you used your mobile phone whilst driving since the fixed penalty notice of a £200 fine and 6 penalty points were introduced in the UK?” quizzed a demographic of both male and female respondents, aged 18+.

The highest percentage of individuals who answered were aged 25-34, and 54.7% were male, slightly outweighing the female bias.

Of those who answered the question, 5.6% admitted to using their handheld devices while driving, equating to over 1 in 20 people in the North West on average.

The findings come as part of a wider study into driving offences in the UK, which also unearth other driving habits of UK inhabitants. The same data set reveals that an average of 48% of vehicles break the motorway speed limit and 86% of cars speed on 20mph roads.