One million motorists have been caught using a mobile at the wheel

One million motorists have been caught illegally using a handheld mobile phone while driving since legislation was introduced in 2003, according to new figures.

One in three motorists admits still using a handset behind the wheel, while 18 per cent say they believe it is acceptable to do so despite the law.

A survey found most drivers who admitted using a handheld mobile did so to answer calls or text.

But a quarter read emails, 30 per cent checked directions and 14 per cent logged on to social networking sites.Figures obtained under Freedom of Information rules show that in the capital, just under 200,000 motorists have been caught using phones in nine years. The number given fixed penalty notices rose steadily until last year. This year, 21,931 drivers have been issued with penalties in London, compared with 33,384 in the whole of last year.

Another study, in four British cities, found motorists holding mobiles were twice as likely to drive erratically, including reckless manoeuvring, speeding and sudden braking. One in three drivers spotted using a phone failed to stop at a pedestrian crossing.

Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has said he believes the current punishment of three penalty points and a £60 fine is not a sufficient deterrent. He has suggested increasing it to six points, so drivers would be banned if they were caught twice in three years.

The poll by ICM was carried out for insurance firm LV=. Its managing director John O’Roarke said: “It’s been nearly 10 years. It’s worrying that many drivers are still using devices at the wheel.”