1 in 5 young drivers admit to making video-calls behind the wheel
New RAC survey also says 1 in 10 admit to playing games on their device
Last updated 7th Oct 2020
One in five young drivers admit to video calling while behind the wheel. A new survey has found under 25s are most likely to make or take a face-to-face call even though it could cost them a £200 fine and put 6 points on their licence.
They're twice as likely to do it than older drivers, with one in ten also admitting they play games on their phone while on the road.
The growth in Facetime, Whatsapp, Zoom and Snapchat style apps is being blamed for the rise.
The RAC report
The report from the RAC also found: On average 8% of all UK drivers say make face-to-face calls, with the figure rising to 13% among those aged 25 to 44.
29% of drivers of all ages in 2020 say they make and receive calls on handheld phones while driving, that’s 5% more than last year and the highest proportion since 2016.
The proportion of drivers admitting to other dangerous activities such as checking or sending text messages or taking photos or video appears to be reducing, although it is unclear whether this is simply down to lower overall car use this year as a result of the pandemic.
Rod Dennis from the RAC spoke to our Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle
RAC road safety spokesperson Simon Williams added:
“Our figures highlight what many drivers already know – that the problem of illegal phone use at the wheel has far from disappeared. While there’s been a reduction in some elements of this dangerous activity, more people say they are making and taking calls now than at any point since 2016, shortly before tougher penalties were introduced.
“And the rise in the popularity of video calls means this type of communication represents a new, clear and present danger on the UK’s roads in 2020.