Drivers still flouting mobile phone laws

A What Car? survey has revealed that 36% of motorists still admit to using a handheld mobile phone while driving their car, with a quarter saying they've done so in the past week.

However, the true figure could be much higher because 93% of motorists say they've seen someone else using a mobile phone at the wheel in the past seven days.

In spite of tougher penalties being introduced in 2007, which include the threat of jail if a driver is prosecuted for dangerous driving, there has been no drop in the number admitting to using a handheld mobile over the past year. Last year's survey also showed that 36% admit to using their phone while driving. Only a slight drop of 6% has been recorded since 2005.

Steve Fowler, What Car? editor, commented: 'The message is obviously not getting through if you use a handheld mobile phone while driving, you may end up killing yourself or others.

'Research has shown that using a mobile phone at the wheel could be more dangerous than drink driving. Yet it seems you don't have to travel far to see someone who's oblivious to the dangers they're all too easy to spot by their bad driving habits.'

What Car? Survey Results

When did you last use a handheld mobile phone as you drove?
Today 12%
Yesterday 5%
Last week 8%
Last month 11%
Never 64%

When did you last see another motorist using a handheld mobile phone?
Today 57%
Yesterday 18%
Last week 18%
Last month 4%
Never 3%