57% of UK van drivers still physically check their mobile phones while driving, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles research.
This is despite the most recent update to Regulation 110 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, banning the use of all handheld devices behind the wheel and an increased fine of £200 fine and six penalty points.
While the proportion of van drivers checking their phones has reduced by 7% versus 2023 – in which 64% of UK van drivers confessed to checking their phones2 – 1 in 10 still admit to not only doing so while driving, but doing so “often”.
Demonstrating the scale and ongoing prevalence of the issue amongst the UK’s van drivers, a recently released Department for Transport survey found that van drivers are more than twice as likely to use their mobile phone while driving, compared to all other types of drivers.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ research confirmed that the decision to ignore mobile phone driving laws is not the result of a lack of available hands-free technology. In fact, 98% of respondents stated that their vans have in-built technology to support hands-free driving, with almost all (93%) using the technology at least once during the working day.1
While it remains to be seen what’s causing so many drivers to continue breaking the law at some stage during the day, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is urging van drivers to go hands-free while on the road.
As the hours UK van drivers spend in their vehicles continue to increase – rising from an average 4.88 hours per day in 20222, to 6.24 hours in 20231 – it’s more important than ever that drivers make the most of the technology available. Doing so not only improves road safety, but also allows drivers to work on the go.
To optimise customer convenience and safety, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles fits a Bluetooth® hands-free kit as standard across all its models. Paired with its range of digital services – including We Connect and App-Connect – which enable drivers to make calls, access apps and navigate via voice control, drivers can get back to business all without taking their eyes off the road.
The survey also indicates that many van drivers are transitioning to such technology, with 82% making up to 10 hands-free calls per day.
John Ricardo-Neto, head of product planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “While there’s 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.”
