Using a mobile phone behind the wheel is against the law and road users could face strict penalties for evading the rules. In some extreme cases, road users could even be prosecuted for dangerous driving and even receive a driving ban.
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Fresh analysis from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has found fewer than half of van drivers use hands-free technology installed in their car.
Just 41 percent said they used hands-free technology frequently meaning many more are putting themselves at risk.
Last year, Volkswagen Commercial vehicles found 23 percent of drivers do not have a hands-free device installed in their car.
With many needing to use a phone for work-related calls, not having a hands-free device can lead to a dilemma on where to take the call.
This could lead to some road users deciding to evade the law by using their mobile phones when they should be focussing on the road.
A total of 17 percent have also admitted to sending and receiving texts or reading their emails while behind the wheel.
Head of Fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: “Mobile phone use behind the wheel is a topic that we’ve been monitoring for the past couple of years and the recent statistics show it is still a huge safety problem on UK roads.
“Despite carrying a hefty punishment, it lacks the taboo of other offences such as drink-driving and this needs to change.”
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The RAC’s Report on Motoring found that 23 percent of all motorists confess to making or receiving calls on a handheld phone.
However, this rises to 51 percent among those aged between 17 and 24 in a potential safety risk for inexperienced motorists.
This demographic often have the most to lose from a charge and could face an instant driving ban for making one mistake.
GOV.UK says being caught using a device will see inexperienced motorists lose their licence and banned from the roads.
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Those affected would be motorists who passed their driving test over the last two years which could be a major blow for one small error.
According to the RAC, motorists are alone to use a phone if it is hands-free but cannot pick it up and use it under any cost.
The hands-free devices should be set up before you leave a driveway so any calls can be easily accepted or declined while behind the wheel.
You can use your phone as a sat nav or navigation service as long as the mobile phone is fixed to the windscreen or dashboard.
This must not be considered distracting for other road users and cannot block your vision of the road ahead.
Previously a legal loophole meant road users would technically only face fines for communication means.
This was closed on 1 March 2017 where lawmakers said it would be an offence to touch a phone for any reason while behind the wheel of a car.
Hands-free devices are still legal as many believe you are in more control of a vehicle as you keep both hands on the steering wheel.
However, the Transport Select Committee concluded hands-free devices can still have “catastrophic consequences”
Road safety campaigners Brake have previously openly advocated for a blanket ban on mobile phones whether or not they are hand-held.
The group has also called for the total fine to be increased to between £500 and £1,000.
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