Is speeding worse than phoning while driving?

A new survey has revealed 23 per cent of people reckon it is better to phone or text and drive than to exceed the speed limit.

The figure came from research to investigate how serious an offence motorists believe going too fast is.

New legislation came into force at the start of the month which doubled the possible penalty for using a phone while driving to six points and £200.

During a week-long operation, 88 penalties were handed to South Yorkshire drivers and four motorist were reported on summons to attend at court to be charged.

Researchers also found 64 per cent of drivers in the county knowingly drive over the speed limit, but only seven per cent had been caught during the last 24 months.

The response to a Freedom of Information request from Admiral suggested police forces and camera safety partnerships were halting the installation of speed cameras, with just ten police forces said new cameras had been installed in 2016.

Alistair Hargreaves, head of service for car insurer, Admiral said: “It’s clear many motorists don’t see speeding as a particularly serious offence, and most admit they break the speed limit.

“We wanted to find out where motorists rank speeding in seriousness compared with a range of other offences and bad driving habits.

“Twenty-two per cent think using a phone while driving is less serious than speeding.

“Both offences carry a penalty, but recently the government increased the punishment for anyone caught using their phone behind the wheel; you now face a £200 and six points on your licence.

“Attitudes to speeding on motorways are particularly relaxed for a lot of drivers, and the majority would like the government to raise the speed limit from 70mph.”

Admiral’s study revealed 46 per cent of motorists in Yorkshire don't think driving 80mph in a 70mph zone is a particularly serious driving offence.

A quarter admitted they have gone faster than they should on residential streets.

But when questioned about acceptable speed limits, folk in Yorkshire are agreed the maximum should be 25mph on residential streets.

Those surveyed were asked: Which of the following infringements do you think are more serious than driving over the speed limit?

Drink driving - 90 per cent.

Driving without a seatbelt - 29 per cent.

Using a mobile phone while driving - 77 per cent.

Driving through a red light - 64 per cent.

Road rage - 51 per cent.

Driving without insurance - 61 per cent.

Tailgating - 50 per cent.

Driving in the middle lane when the inside lane is clear - 21 per cent.

Failing to stop after an accident - 69 per cent.

Driving while disqualified     - 70 per cent.

Driving a car with defective tyres - 55 per cent.

Not indicating - 23 per cent.

Undertaking - 28 per cent.

Driving with defective eyesight - 63 per cent.

Failing to stop at a crossing for pedestrians - 49 per cent.

Driving the wrong way down a one way street - 56 per cent.

Driving under the influence of drugs - 76 per cent.