More young drivers are driving under the influence of drugs and using mobile phones at the wheel, an RAC survey has found.
The survey found that the number of motorists aged between 17 and 24 who admitted to driving while under the influence of drugs has risen in the past year from 5% to 9%. Also, there has been a 50% increase in the number of 25 to 44-year-olds using smartphones to access their email, Facebook and Twitter accounts behind the wheel.
44% of the 1,002 drivers surveyed also claimed that they felt "less safe" on the roads, with only 22% claiming that they felt safer. 61% of those surveyed believed that there are not enough police on the roads and over half of those questioned believed that there should be a life driving ban for those caught under the influence of drink or drugs.
The RAC claim that the government is to blame. Technical director David Bizley said, "Government cuts have meant an extremely large drop in spending on road safety campaigns in the past two years, but our 2012 report highlights the damaging effect this is having."
However, it seems that the government is committed to improving road safety. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said, "We have an enviable record on road safety in this country and I want to keep it that way. Road safety is a top priority and we are determined to dramatically reduce deaths and injuries still further."
