More than two thirds of drivers back higher fines for mobile phone use behind the wheel.
Motorists caught using their phones while driving face a £200 fine and six points on their licence.
However, a survey by Allianz revealed that 67% of motorists surveyed believe the fines should be higher and 54% back increasing the number of penalty points received.
Despite this, 31% admitted to texting while driving and 19% said they regularly use their phone for navigation. And while 18% said that phone use had led to a near miss in the last three years, only 37% considered using their phones while driving to be high risk, with 21% believing it was ‘barely a risk at all.’
Matt Cox, chief claims officer at Allianz UK, said: “It’s encouraging that UK drivers recognise both the seriousness of phone distraction and their own responsibility for staying focused.
“Distraction on the road is not a new issue, and neither is the risk posed by smartphones. But awareness must translate into behaviour. Checking a message, making a call or changing something on a screen may feel routine, yet those few seconds can be enough for conditions on the road to change completely.”
