Although the proportion of people who buckle up in cars appears to be staying the same, drivers are increasingly flouting the rules on mobile phone use, Government research suggests.
In annual surveys conducted by the Department for Transport, the proportion of drivers seen to be wearing a seatbelt remained constant between 2008 and 2009 - at 95%. While the percentage of front seat passengers seen wearing belts dipped - from 96% to 95% - the proportion of rear-seat passengers who appeared to be correctly restrained rose from 88% to 89%.
However, hand-held mobile phone use appears to be on the rise, despite legislation introduced more than six years ago which banned their use while driving.
The proportion of car drivers observed using hand-held mobiles rose from 1.1% in 2008 to 1.4% in 2009, while use observed among van and lorry drivers rose from 2.2% to 2.6%.
There was a more marked increase in the apparent use of hands-free phones, which was observed - with the aid of a 'mobile phone detector' - among 1.4% of car drivers, rising from 0.5% in 2008. The practice, which is not specifically outlawed, also rose among van and lorry drivers, climbing from 1.1% to 2.4%.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) said that the figures showed motorists were still risking their lives, and those of others.
"It is clear that, despite wide publicity on the risks, people are still choosing to ignore advice and use their phones in their cars," said IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig.
"Deaths and injuries linked to mobile phone use wreck lives and are completely avoidable," he added.
"The majority of road users deserve to be protected from an irresponsible and selfish minority and enforcement is, in our view, the key weapon against them."
