More than half of van drivers in the UK are using their handheld mobile phones while on the move, according to a new study.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles commissioned a survey of 1,000 van drivers, questioning them on telephone use behind the wheel.
Shockingly, some 57 percent of those who responded to the survey admitted to physically checking their mobile phone while driving.
This comes despite an update to Regulation 110 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 1986, which bans the use of all handheld devices behind the wheel.
Van drivers most at risk
The findings mean the majority of van drivers are risking a £200 fine, combined with six penalty points on their licence, just for touching a mobile phone.
Of the van drivers surveyed, one in 10 admitted that they would ‘often’ use their phone when driving.
This fits with a recent separate Department of Transport study, which found van drivers were twice as likely to use a mobile phone behind the wheel, compared to those driving all other types of vehicle.
However, Volkswagen’s survey did reveal a seven percent year-on-year fall in van drivers using their phone, down from 64 percent in 2023.
Technology is not the issue
The use of a handheld mobile phone by some drivers is not due to a lack of alternative technology. Almost every respondent (98 percent) said their van is equipped with built-in features to make hands-free phone calls.
Also, 93 percent said that they used this hands-free technology at least once per day, with 82 percent making up to 10 calls daily.
John Ricardo-Neto, head of product planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, commented: “While there is still a large number of van drivers ignoring the mobile driving laws at some stage throughout the day, it’s positive to see that van drivers are, for the most part, using hands-free technology while on the road.
“Every new Volkswagen van is packed with useful in-cabin tech such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the ability of voice control, allowing drivers to maintain their eyes, and focus, on the road at all times.”
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