Revealed: The biggest menace on the roads

An NRMA survey of almost 1500 members found that almost three-quarters — 72 per cent — ranked the greatest menace on the roads. It comes as statistics show 34,858 were fined for the offence in just four years.

DRIVERS speaking or texting on a mobile phone illegally are the greatest menace on the roads, motorists overwhelmingly have flagged.

An NRMA survey of almost 1500 members found that almost three-quarters — 72 per cent — ranked illegal phone use behind the wheel as their biggest road safety fear.

Motorists said they regarded visible highway patrols as the most effective deterrent against dangerous driver behaviour.

Daily Telegraph launches Think and Drive road safety campaign

THINK AND DRIVE: Can you pick the killer in this line-up?

Young people are not the biggest offenders, new data shows. Picture: David Crosling

New data collated by the Centre for Road Safety shows young people are not the biggest offenders illegally using a phone when driving.

While 34,858 drivers aged 16-25 were fined for using their mobile phones in their cars from 2013 to 2017, a staggering 74,056 drivers aged 26-39 were caught over the same period. A close second were 40-59 year olds racking up 53,531 offences.

Young drivers in NSW already are subject to some of the toughest mobile phone laws in the country.

When you see this sign post next to our stories here on the website or inside the newspaper, stop and think for a moment about how you can drive safer

Under the Graduated Licensing Scheme which came into force in 2000 learners and red and green P-platers are banned from using a mobile phone at all.

In the NRMA survey mobile phone use was voted a greater concern than:

. Driving under the influence of alcohol (56 per cent)

. Speeding (55 per cent)

. Aggressive driving (46 per cent)

. Driving under the influence of drugs (41 per cent), and

. Driver fatigue (38 per cent)

The NRMA’s 2017 report Can’t Talk Driving found almost one-fifth of motorists read texts while driving.

Alarmingly, 15 per cent believed they would not get caught. After the NRMA called for a crackdown on the behaviour the state government responded with tougher penalties and enforcement.

THE THINK AND DRIVE STORIES YOU NEED TO READ

► Can you pick the killer in this line-up?

► Melinda Pavey: Stark numbers show we still have room to improve