Mobile Phone While Driving Statistics UK (2026)

Observed and self-reported phone use

The England roadside survey observed hand-held phone use by 0.3% of drivers in autumn 2023. The rounded rates were 0.6% for van drivers and 0.2% for car drivers.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales found that 4.3% of drivers reported using a phone held in the hand during the previous 12 months, for the year ending March 2025. Observation measures use at the moment sampled; the survey measures whether someone used a phone at any point over a year.

The 2023 observation study used images from 25 sites and introduced a different collection method, limiting direct comparison with earlier observation surveys.

Mobile-device factors in fatal collisions

Mobile-device use was recorded as a factor in 32 of the 996 fatal collisions in DfT's analysed 2025 road safety factor dataset, equivalent to 3.2% after rounding.

The factor can apply to a driver, casualty or uninjured pedestrian. It records the attending officer's assessment of circumstances that may have contributed, and covers the relevant RSF subset of collisions. Several factors can be assigned to the same event.

The law and penalties

Using a hand-held phone or similar device while driving can bring six penalty points and a £200 fine. Exceptions include an emergency call to 999 or 112 when stopping is unsafe or impractical, contactless payment while stationary and remote parking.

Hands-free equipment must not obstruct the driver's view, and the driver must remain in control. Hands-free calls can still create distraction, so legal use requires attention to the driving situation.

Phone use during work journeys

Employers can plan communications so staff can stop safely before dealing with calls or messages. Contact arrangements, realistic journey schedules and clear expectations belong in the driving-for-work risk assessment. Providing a hands-free kit alone does not resolve distraction risk.

Frequently asked questions

How many drivers are observed using a hand-held phone?

The autumn 2023 England survey observed hand-held phone use by 0.3% of drivers, including 0.6% of van drivers and 0.2% of car drivers.

How many drivers report using a hand-held phone over a year?

4.3% of drivers in England and Wales reported doing so during the previous 12 months in the survey for the year ending March 2025.

How often was mobile-device use recorded in fatal collisions?

It was recorded in 32 fatal collisions, or 3.2% of the analysed 2025 RSF dataset. The factor can apply to drivers or pedestrians.