Two fifths of drivers aren’t aware of the law change which comes into force tomorrow (1st March) and will see the number of penalty points and fines given to drivers caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel double.

From 1 March 2017, drivers who are caught using their phone will receive 6 penalty points and a £200 fine – previously 3 penalty points and a £100 fine.

However, over half of drivers, according to research from Manchester based Co-op Insurance don’t believe that the change will be enough to deter drivers from using their phones illegally.

Of those who don’t believe the increases will go far enough, 79% believe that further increases to both penalty points and fines are necessary to make a positive change in driver behaviours.

Over two thirds (67%) even believe that offenders should be banned from driving for using their phones.

Over a tenth (13%) think the fine needs to be increased, with 27% of these believing that this should be £1000 or more whilst 7% think the number of penalty points needs to be increased.

However, a quarter (24%) believe that their driving habits will change for the better as a result of the law change with it deterring them from using their phones.

Over a quarter of drivers questioned this week (30%) still admit to using their mobile phone behind the wheel. The main use is to make or receive calls (73%) and to use their device as a sat nav to search for a destination when they are lost.

What do drivers use their phone for behind the wheel?

To make/receive calls 73%
To search for a destination 28%
To text or instant message 23%
To check/write emails 12%
To check/update social networks 10%
To use a search engine 10%
To read the news 8%
To take a selfie 7%
When it comes to frequency of usage, 16% of drivers admit to using their phones behind the wheel a few times a week, 15% a few times a month with 6% using their phones every day.

Lack of time is a deciding factor for many who use their phones when driving with 16% using their phone for this reason. However 14% use their phones simply because they get bored in queuing traffic. Nearly a tenth (9%) do it as they believe ‘it won’t hurt anyone’.

Reasons drivers give for using their phones behind the wheel

I’m short of time/running late 17%
I get bored in traffic jams 15%
My car doesn’t have hands free connectivity 14%
I need to check notifications as soon as I receive them 13%
I’ve never been caught 10%
It doesn’t hurt anybody 9%
There aren’t any police/cameras where I drive 9%
I don’t want to wear earphones when driving 5%
James Hillon, Head of Products at Co-op Insurance, said:

“Whilst is can be tempting to take that call or check that text, using a mobile phone whilst driving is dangerous and can seriously impact a motorist’s ability to drive safely, which is why it is illegal.

“Despite this, a third of drivers have admitted that they use their phones behind the wheel for a range of reasons from not having enough time in the day, to not wanting to be bored in a traffic jam.

“Whilst it seems as though the increase in penalty may encourage better behaviour, with a quarter now less likely to phone and drive, much of the driving population believe that the increase could have gone further.

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