UK drivers hit with £14 million in fines for using phones at the wheel

• Greater Manchester Police issued the most fines at 11,987 in this three-year period, costing offenders over £2 million
• Over half (59%) of drivers admit to using their mobile phone behind the wheel
• On average, Brits admit to being caught twice using their mobile phone while driving
• Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com, highlights the importance of staying safe on the road and why drivers shouldn’t use a mobile phone behind the wheel

Drivers across the UK have been hit with £14 million in fines for using their mobile phone when driving between 2023 and 2025.

Over 70,000 UK drivers have been issued fines for using their mobile phone when driving in the last 3 years by UK police forces. That’s according to new data obtained by Confused.com through Freedom of Information requests to UK police forces.

According to the data, Greater Manchester Police issued the most fines at 11,987 in this three-year period. That equates to over £2 million in this region alone.

Using or interacting with a mobile device when driving is illegal and can result in fines of up to £200 as well as incurring six penalty points on a licence¹.

Top 5 areas in the UK for police fines for driving using a mobile phone

With thousands of drivers being caught using their mobile phones when driving across the UK from 2023 to 2025, the situation is severe. According to the data, 2024 was the year with the most drivers fined after being caught on their phones at 27,712 in one year alone. And some drivers are still prepared to take the risk.

Further research of UK drivers found that nearly 6 in 10 (59%) UK drivers admit to using their mobile phone behind the wheel. The age groups most willing to take the risk are 25-34 year olds (54%) and 35-44 year olds (54%). That’s as over half of both groups admit to interacting with their phone when driving.

Mobile phone use is a part of everyday life for many and can quickly become embedded in routines. As a result, nearly a quarter (22%) of UK drivers admitted to physically holding their phone while driving, and more than a third (37%) have interacted with their phone while driving.

The research from Confused.com revealed that Brits have been caught using their mobile phones when driving twice on average. Yet 84% of respondents haven’t been caught despite the dangers of doing so. Driving and using a mobile phone can lead to accidents and compromises the safety of those in the vehicle and other road users.

For those who were caught using their mobile phone while driving, over 8 in 10 (81%) were caught by a police officer.

And with the rise of AI speed cameras, it’s getting harder for drivers to stay undetected. That’s as over a quarter (26%) of those being caught on their phones were by an AI camera.

Not only does driving when using a mobile phone impact drivers' awareness, but it can also result in further implications for road users. The main things that have happened to people driving and using their mobile phone include being fined (9%), almost having an accident (8%), and points on their licence (3%).

The motoring experts at Confused.com found the main reasons people were going on their phone while driving included answering a phone call (42%) and working a navigation app (40%). And nearly a quarter (23%) each used their phone while driving to make a phone call, in the case of an emergency, and to read a text.

Although seemingly quick tasks, reaction times when using a hands-free device are 30% slower than your reaction times at the drink-drive limit², increasing the risk of an accident.

While drivers can use their phone as a sat nav, If they need to make any adjustments to the route or touch their phone, it’s a legal requirement to pull over wherever it's safe and legal to do so. But even touching a phone can result in receiving fines or points.

The research found there are occasions when drivers felt comfortable using their mobile phone. The most popular reason for nearly half (48%) of drivers was when the car was stationary at traffic lights and in a stand-still queue. But legally, drivers can't use their phone if the car is stationary and the engine is running.

Although this doesn’t stop over a quarter (26%) of drivers from using their phone in start-stop traffic. And just over a fifth (22%) of drivers felt it appropriate to go on their phone quickly and when they felt they wouldn’t get distracted.

The consequences of using a mobile phone when driving, including fines, penalty points, and persecution, deter over 7 in 10 (73%) of drivers from using their phone behind the wheel.

Yet, drivers see other motorists on their phones behind the wheel often. For 29%, they have seen another driver on their phone a few times a week. While 18% have seen this done a few times a month and 17% have seen this happen daily.

Despite being illegal and a danger on the roads, 94% of drivers admit to not reporting seeing another driver using their phone behind the wheel.

Using a mobile phone is clearly a common offence on UK roads, but the consequences can be severe. Keeping your phone out of sight and out of mind will keep drivers and other road users safe.

Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance, comments:

- ENDS -