23% of motorists say increased penalties will not affect mobile use at the wheel

Under new legislation, motorists who have had their licences for less than two years will be banned if they use their device just once and penalties for all drivers caught using their handset in the car are doubling. However, research from Goodyear Tyres UK has shockingly revealed that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of motorists said the risk of being prosecuted would not affect their mobile phone use behind the wheel.

Kate Rock, PR & corporate communications manager, comments: “It’s absolutely imperative that more education is provided to make drivers aware of the potential dangers of the road and the distractions around them, so that safe driving becomes second nature.

“We have found that mobile phone use is still prominent especially in young drivers. Worryingly, our extensive research revealed that 42 per cent of young drivers have admitted to using their mobile phone behind the wheel and almost one-quarter (23 per cent) said the risk of being prosecuted would not affect this. Driving is a serious matter and we hope this change in law makes motorists think about their actions, to stay focused on the task in hand.”