Roughly two out of five motorists have been caught breaking a major driving law in the past year, with thousands risking £200 instant penalties.
Research has revealed that 43 per cent of drivers have confessed to reading or composing text messages while behind the wheel, despite the practice being a criminal offence.
In the UK, drivers caught using a mobile device can face “immediate penalties” of £200 and six points on their licence.
For motorists who obtained their full driving licence within the previous two years, the consequences are even more severe. Under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995, drivers who have more than six penalty points can have their driving licence revoked.
A leading road safety charity has now warned that total costs stemming from a single offence could reach a staggering £12,000.
Beyond texting, the survey uncovered widespread use of smartphones for capturing images and footage while driving. A third of respondents aged 17 to 24 admitted to taking photos or videos using a handheld device at the wheel.
The frequency of these offences is particularly troubling, with one in eight young drivers reporting texting on at least half of their journeys, while 13 per cent said they regularly filmed or photographed while driving.
Older motorists appear far less likely to engage in driving offences among those aged 35 to 44, with just 29 per cent admitting to texting while driving. This figure dropped further to 16 per cent for drivers between 45 and 54.
The report found that two out of five young drivers have been caught using a phone behind the wheel
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GETTYDespite hands-free technology being standard in most vehicles and phones, half of younger drivers continue holding their devices while driving.
Penalties were increased in 2022, doubling the fine from £100 to £200 and raising licence points from three to six.
Police forces across the country classify mobile phone use as one of the “fatal four” causes of serious collisions.
Department for Transport statistics from 2024 recorded 154 people killed or seriously injured in incidents where mobile device use was a contributing factor. A further 920 deaths and serious injuries were linked to distractions inside or outside vehicles.
Worryingly, IAM RoadSmart has calculated that the true financial burden facing young offenders extends far beyond the initial £200 penalty.
A 19-year-old male driver receiving a CU80 endorsement for mobile phone use could see their insurance premiums surge by more than £10,675.
Additional expenses include nearly £700 for alternative transport while unable to drive, plus over £800 covering refresher lessons, new test fees and the original fine.
The charity noted that this combined £12,000 bill equates to a full year of university tuition fees, a reasonable second-hand car, or multiple package holidays abroad.
For young drivers who lose their licence under the New Drivers Act, they must reapply and effectively start again.
Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart’s Director of Policy and Standards, said: “The statistics show that a troubling number of young people are not only dicing with death, but they are also putting themselves at huge financial risk, giving into the urge of using their smartphone.”
He warned that early licence loss would “stunt your employment chances, disrupt education and put you at a significant financial disadvantage”.
On tackling the problem, Mr Lyes emphasised that “enforcement remains one of the best tools to combat the epidemic of illegal phone use at the wheel,” noting that police forces are deploying new camera technology to catch offenders.
The charity is calling for penalties to be raised, with Mr Lyes suggesting fines could be matched to the cost of a new smartphone.