Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIllegal mobile phone use by drivers for activities beyond voice calls has reached an eight-year high in the UK, matching 2018 peaks. A survey commissioned by the RAC found 15 per cent of motorists admitted to browsing, texting, or posting on social media while driving. More concerningly, 9 per cent of respondents reported watching, recording or livestreaming videos while driving, a figure that rises to 27 per cent among under-25s. Home Office data reveals 40,723 convictions in England and Wales for handheld mobile phone use while driving in 2024, the highest since 2016. Road safety experts express deep concern over these trends, highlighting that 21 people were killed in crashes in 2024 where mobile phone use was a contributing factor. In fullNumber of UK motorists using phones illegally while driving reaches eight-year highThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in