Overview
- An IAM RoadSmart-commissioned poll reports that 43% of drivers aged 17–24 admitted to reading or writing a phone message while driving in the past year.
- The survey, conducted by research firm Online95 in September, gathered responses from about 2,025–2,205 UK motorists and reflects self-reported behaviour.
- One in six young drivers said they had instant messaged behind the wheel during at least half of their journeys, and 34% said they had recorded video or taken photos while driving.
- Younger motorists reported far higher offending than older groups, compared with 29% of drivers aged 35–44 and 10% of those aged 45–54.
- IAM RoadSmart backs steeper fines, while the DfT notes handheld use is a criminal offence since 2022 with a £200 fine and six points introduced in 2017, cites 154 killed or seriously injured in 2024 where mobile use contributed, and points to ongoing Think! campaigns and a new road safety strategy.