Drivers on the phone go unpunished

The number of fines issued to motorists caught using their mobile phone while driving has tumbled despite growing evidence that more people than ever are prepared to ignore the law.

Information released by the Home Office showed that 116,000 were given a fixed penalty notice for the offense last year - that figure has dropped by 30 percent in two years.

Motorists who flout the law are risking a £60 fine and three penalty points on their license, but road safety campaigners insist that the rules are being routinely broken and blame limited police resources for a failure to enforce legislation.