Van insurance news: Mobile phone use on the increase

Van insurance news: Mobile phone use on the increase

The number of van and lorry drivers using hand-held mobile phones while driving is increasing, it has been reported.

According to the latest figures from the Department for Transport, since September 2008 the number of van and lorry drivers using mobile phones without a hands-free kit went up from 2.2 per cent to 2.6 per cent.

This puts them ahead of car drivers, with only 1.4 per cent using mobile phones illegally, up from 1.1 per cent.

Director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists Neil Greig said that more needed to be done to enforce the law.

"Along with consistent and high profile policing drivers need to be educated about how and why driving on the phone is so dangerous," he commented.

"The majority of road users deserve to be protected from an irresponsible and selfish minority and enforcement is, in our view, the key weapon against them."

Since 2007, drivers caught using their mobile phones without a hands-free kit face a fine of £60 and three points on their licence.

Posted by Adam Smith

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