Motoring specialists have called for mobile phones to be “completely banned” from vehicles across the UK to “remove temptation” and boost road safety.
Experts at carVertical stressed it “may be time” to consider tougher driving rules on mobile devices with stricter guidelines put in place.
They warned road safety should “take priority” over technology with data showing dozens of motorists were getting distracted behind the wheel.
The calls come after fresh data from the Department for Transport revealed the UK was still battling an issue around phone use.
Younger drivers were found to be the most at risk with use among 17-29 year olds higher than any other age range.
Matas Buzelis, car expert at carVertical said: “It may be time to consider a complete ban on the use of any form of telecommunications device while driving in order to remove the temptation for drivers to make and receive calls.
“The safety of drivers is paramount and should take priority over the integration of any technology devices that may divert people’s attention away from the road.”
Under current rules, motorists can have phones inside the cockpit as long as they do not touch the device under any circumstances.
This means hands-free phone calls and using the device as a sat nav are legally allowed despite the risk of motorists having their attention diverted.
Data shows that just 0.3 percent of all motorists were observed using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel in Autumn 2023.
The analysis confirmed younger drivers continued to be most at risk with 0.45 percent of male drivers between 17 and 29 observed using a device.
0.29 percent of female motorists in this age range were also caught out compared to 0.3 percent of males from 30 to 59.
Older motorists were less likely to break the rules with just 0.11 percent of men and 0.05 percent of women found using the technology behind the wheel.
Matas added: “More than four times as many drivers aged 17 to 29 were observed using a hand-held device compared with the over-60s.
“This is a worrying trend and clearly there is a need to educate younger drivers in particular, about the danger of driving while using a mobile phone.
“Texting, scrolling or holding a phone to make a call while driving isn’t just distracting and illegal – it can dramatically increase the likelihood of you having an accident.”