New research has found that mobile phone use while driving is commonplace, with 60% of motorists admitting to taking voice calls.
This comes despite 68% agreeing that voice calls are distracting.
Meanwhile, 11% of the 2,000 motorists surveyed by temporary car insurers Tempcover said they accepted video calls with 87% admitting this poses a distraction.
The main reason for accepting calls was hands-free technology making it feel safer (39%), followed by calls being too important to miss (37%). A further 21% said they felt under pressure from family to answer calls quickly, with 29% saying it was convenient to fit calls around other commitments.
Despite this, 80% backed stricter enforcement of phone use while driving. This includes harsher penalties when phone use contributes to an accident (53%), increased fines for offenders (50%), additional penalty points on licences (44%), automatic licence suspension for repeat offenders (42%), and more consistent enforcement with fewer warnings (42%).
Distraction
Claire Wills-Mckissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “While hands-free technology allows drivers to legally take calls without holding their phone, it does not remove the risk of distraction. Conversations can still divert attention away from the road, even with both hands on the wheel. The safest option is always to pull over in a safe place before taking or making a call, especially one that requires deep focus.
“Even brief distractions can compromise reaction times and decision-making behind the wheel. A momentary lapse in concentration can have serious, even life-changing consequences for all road users.
“Enforcement is in place for a reason. Drivers found to be using a mobile phone improperly while driving can face a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence.”
