Quarter of Shropshire drivers admit using their phones at the wheel
More than a quarter of drivers in Shropshire are still using their phone while behind the wheel, according to a survey.
Motorists are starting to change their habits, but a large minority are still breaking the law.
Of more than 1,000 taking part in the Shropshire Star survey, 27 per cent of people confessed to checking their mobile phone while driving at some point over the last 12 months.
The figure is a nine per cent drop on 2016, when the Shropshire Star first ran the survey, but will still come as a disappointment to police and safety campaigners who have been behind several high profile campaigns.
A total of 1,160 readers responded to the survey, which also found that 13 per cent of people had also sent or read a text message while at the wheel, and 12 per cent had used their phone to make or receive a call.
The figure fell in both categories but still represents a sizeable number of people prepared to put themselves and other road users at risk while driving.
West Mercia Police Superintendent Paul Moxley said it was concerning to see that some people were still prepared to use their phones while driving, despite believing it is dangerous.
He said: “Clearly there are still motorists on the roads of Shropshire who are ignoring the law and blatantly endangering other road users.
"During our national campaign, a total of 88 motorists were caught using their mobile phones at the wheel in the West Mercia area.
“This behaviour is unacceptable and our officers will continue to ensure that we do all we can to enforce this important legislation.
"Improving the safety of our roads is a year-round commitment for our officers and I would urge those who have responded to this poll to think twice before reaching for their phones.”
