Fewer drivers in Avon and Somerset were penalised for using their phones while driving last year, despite new laws aiming to clamp down on the offence.

Figures from Avon and Somerset Constabulary show 509 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were handed out for mobile phone use in 2023, a decline from 591 in 2022. Nationally, however, the number of penalties issued rose by 33% following a change in the law that broadened the definition of the offence.

The updated legislation makes it illegal to hold or interact with a mobile device in any way while driving. According to the Home Office, this contributed to 9,000 more penalties being issued across England in 2023, with 36,800 FPNs recorded outside of London.

The RAC has raised concerns over the rise in phone use behind the wheel, particularly among younger drivers. Research from the motoring organisation suggests 39% of drivers aged 17 to 24 admitted to checking texts or emails while driving, and 30% said they had taken photos or recorded videos.

Rod Dennis, a road safety spokesperson for the RAC, warned: "Anyone who uses a mobile phone at the wheel in any way is not just risking their own lives but those of their passengers and all other road users. The only 'screentime' drivers should have in the car is looking through the windscreen as they focus on the road."

Dennis welcomed the introduction of AI-assisted cameras, which he said will help police identify offenders more effectively.

Of the 509 penalties issued by Avon and Somerset police in 2023, 351 resulted in fines, while 158 led to court summons. These figures exclude notices later cancelled by the force.

Drivers caught using a phone while driving face six penalty points and a £200 fine. The Home Office has emphasised the dangers of the practice, describing it as a "serious distraction" that puts all road users at risk.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "Using a phone while driving is a serious distraction that risks the lives of drivers and other road users. There are tough laws in place to clamp down on phone use behind the wheel, and the Government is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads."

In addition to mobile phone use, Avon and Somerset Constabulary issued 141,470 fixed penalty notices for driving-related offences last year. This included 128,126 for speeding and 417 for not wearing a seatbelt.

As the use of technology in vehicles continues to grow, road safety experts are urging drivers to prioritise safe driving habits to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities on the road.