Drivers still ignoring phone ban

Jan 2 2009 Chris Russon

Drivers still ignoring phone ban

MORE than a third of drivers are continuing to use a handheld mobile while driving, according to a survey by a leading motoring magazine.

The What Car? poll revealed that 36% of motorists still admit to flouting the law, with a quarter saying they've done so in the past week.

However, the true figure could be much higher as 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 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.

A survey by the magazine this time last year also showed that 36% admit to using their phone while driving. Only a slight drop of six per cent has been recorded since 2005.

Steve Fowler, What Car? editor, says: '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.'