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 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 license 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 motor cycle 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.