Number of drivers using mobiles is at “epidemic” proportions

MOTORISTS are illegally using mobile phones while driving in “epidemic proportions” because they have no fear of being caught by the police, the RAC has warned.

Twice as many people think it is acceptable to take a quick call on a handheld phone while driving than did two years ago, according to research from the motoring organisation.

And 20% of drivers think it is acceptable to check social media on their phone when in stationary traffic, compared to 14% in 2014.

The number of drivers who admitted to using a handheld mobile phone while driving also increased to 31%, compared to 8% two years ago. And 14% admitted they had taken videos or photographs with their phones while driving.

Meanwhile, forces have been losing roads policing officers across the country thanks to unprecedented funding cuts.

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “Sadly, motorists’ attitudes to using handheld mobile phones while driving appear to be relaxing rather than tightening.

“This is due to the combination of our constantly growing addiction to ever more sophisticated smartphones, coupled with there being little or no fear of being caught in the act as a result of declining numbers of roads policing officers.”

Jayne Willetts, lead for Roads Policing for the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “Police do actively target people using mobile phones when they are out on duty, but unfortunately, with fewer officers out on the roads, more of these offences are going undetected.

“Having officers in marked cars out on the roads does act as a deterrent. However, due to the continued budget cuts over the past few years, there has been a very noticeable decline in the number of traffic police.”