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

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% focus, and any distraction, especially from mobile phones, can have devastating consequences.

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% of young motorists admit to listening to voice notes while driving without hands-free technology, and 40% confess to recording messages. These figures starkly contrast with the overall driving population, where the rates are just 14% and 9%, respectively.

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:- 6 penalty points on your license and a £200 fine. If you get 6 or more points within 2 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.

Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:- "Driving is a responsibility, not a game. When you're behind the wheel, your only 'screen time' should be looking through the windscreen. A momentary glance at your phone can lead to a lifetime of regret. It's deeply concerning to see such a high proportion of young drivers putting themselves and others at risk. We need to change this culture of distraction and make it clear that using a mobile phone while driving is simply unacceptable. We understand the temptation to check your phone, especially for young people who are constantly connected. But no message, no notification, no call is worth risking your life or the lives of others. Put your phone away, focus on the road, and arrive safely."

Inspector Gavin Dixon of Merseyside Police, Roads Policing Department, said:- “As a Roads Policing Department we have to deal with the very real consequences of distracted driving. Every year people are killed or serious injured by drivers not paying attention, whether that be mobile phone use or some other in car distraction. We use a number of tactics to catch drivers that wish to put their own convenience before other people’s safety. In the last 12 months, we have deployed unmarked vehicles, unmarked motorcycles, AI camera detection equipment and arial CCTV resulting in more and more people getting caught. Our message is simple, leave your phone alone or we might be speaking to you next. We can’t be everywhere, but we can be anywhere.”

Liverpool City Council is committed to making the City's roads safer for everyone. This campaign is just 1 step in ongoing efforts to educate drivers and enforce the law.