Stop mobile phone use

An alarming increase in the number of young people distracted while driving has been reported by road campaigners.

Driving demands 100% cent focus

In a bid to combat the rising tide of mobile phone use behind the wheel, Liverpool City Council has launched a hard-hitting campaign aimed at young drivers.

The message is clear: Driving demands 100 per cent focus, and any distraction, especially from mobile phones, can have devastating consequences.

Surge in young drivers using mobiles

The campaign comes as alarming statistics reveal a surge in mobile phone use among young drivers. According to the RAC’s 2024 Report on Motoring, a staggering 43 per cent of young motorists admit to listening to voice notes while driving without hands-free technology, and 40 per cent confess to recording messages. These figures starkly contrast with the overall driving population, where the rates are just 14 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.

The penalties for mobile phone offences

Merseyside Police enforced nearly 2,500 mobile phone offences across Merseyside in 2024 — up from just over 1,600 in 2023.

The consequences of getting caught using a handheld phone while driving are severe: six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine. If you get six or more points within two years of passing your test, your licence will be revoked — which means you’ll also have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence.

You can also be taken to court where you can:

• be banned from driving or motorcycle riding
• get a maximum fine of £1,000.

Liverpool City Council is committed to making the city’s roads safer for everyone. This campaign is just one step in ongoing efforts to educate drivers and enforce the law.