More than half of van drivers admit to still using a mobile behind the wheel


It has been revealed by Volkswagen that fewer than half of all van drivers in the UK use a hands-free kit of Bluetooth technology and continue to dangle the risk of receiving an eye-watering £200 fine and SIX penalty points.

The study has found that even though the average commercial vehicle driver spends 37 minutes on the phone and make around 7 phone calls during a working day, only 41% use Bluetooth or a hands-free kit.

If that isn’t enough, a staggering 17% of UK drivers admit to checking emails whilst on the move. The same number sends text messages and posts social media updates.

Volkswagen has waged a war on using a mobile behind the wheel and now fits a standardised Bluetooth kit to its van model range with some vehicles offering App Connect. 

The new Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 allows certain apps to be used while driving which includes the popular messaging application, WhatsApp which allows users to listen to messages over the speakers.

Even though tougher rules were introduced over three years ago to clamp down on mobile phone usage whilst behind the wheel.

Since March 2017, the law has stated that anyone using a mobile phone for making calls, texting, posting on social media or taking selfies will be faced with a £200 fine plus six penalty points added to their licence. That means if you are caught twice for the same offence, you will face a ban from driving.

“Mobile phone use behind the wheel is a topic that we’ve been monitoring for the past couple of years and the recent statistics show it is still a huge safety problem on UK roads. 

Despite carrying a hefty punishment, it lacks the taboo of other offences such as drink-driving and this needs to change.” Admits Clair English, Head of Fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

For more information or to view some of our latest deals on VW vans, visit New Volkswagen Van Leasing Deals.

Location: Bridgend, UK

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