Drivers warned they face six points for breaking law that's flouted every day

Motorists are being cautioned that they could receive six penalty points on their licence for flouting a rule that's frequently overlooked while driving. A startling survey recently revealed that a whopping 90 per cent of drivers regularly contravene this particular law.

The regulation in question pertains to mobile phones, and it's not just about making calls or sending texts – it's about any form of interaction with the device. Even when halted at traffic lights or stuck in queues, fiddling with your phone is off-limits. Following the tightening of regulations in 2022, there's still widespread confusion about this aspect of driving legislation.

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While most are aware that calling or texting during driving is prohibited, many don't realise that merely touching their phone can lead to penalties.

Resisting the urge to check notifications or change music tracks is crucial, as these actions are not permitted if they involve handling a phone.

It's still a common sight to see drivers glancing at their phones, especially when traffic comes to a standstill, reports Birmingham Live.

This trend is alarming for police authorities, who identify mobile phone usage as a significant contributor to road accidents. An RAC study found that nine out of ten drivers confess they can't go through a drive without interacting with their phone.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: "We saw a reduction in motorists admitting to illegal handheld phone use after the penalties were toughened in 2017 following pressure from the RAC, but numbers are on the rise again now.

"In fact, our research shows the proportion of young drivers making and receiving calls illegally hit its highest rate in eight years in 2024.

"Enforcement of the law is critical, so we encourage police forces to roll out more roadside cameras to catch people in the act and get them to change their ways."