More young drivers in South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire urged to use handsfree technology
A new study has found the number of young drivers - who use mobile phones illegally in their vehicle - has reached its highest level since 2016.
Drivers in South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire are being reminded that using a mobile phone behind the wheel - without handsfree technology - can slow reactions down 'more than drink driving'.
New research has found the number of young drivers - who use mobile phones illegally in their vehicle - has reached an 8-year-high.
Chris Marples is a driving instructor in Chesterfield - He has this advice:
"It's not worth the risk of an accident or losing your licence.
"Depending on the seriousness, you could even lose your freedom.
"If you need to make a phone call, pull up at the side of the road and do it.
"It doesn't matter if you can't do it straight away, that phone call can wait - safety is far more important.
"Using a mobile phone while driving - without using handsfree technology - does distract you and slows your reactions more than drink driving.
"For those reasons, it just not worth it.
"When you've got something in your hand like a mobile phone, it slows down how well you can use your hand controls as well.
"Looking around the roads these days, it feels like there's less discipline.
"I don't reckon like there's much fear of getting caught anymore."
The findings suggest 55% of drivers in the UK under the age of 25 admit to making & receiving calls without using handsfree.