A new study from the AA, has suggested that Police should be given new powers to seize and destroy a driver’s phone. This would follow the same principle as the current rules and regulations around drivers with no insurance and the seize and destruction of vehicles.

8 out of 10 voted in favour of this idea, from a survey of  over 20,000 drivers.

7 out of 10, voted in favour of the police being able to confiscate or even lock a driver out of their phone for a pre determined period.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “The police do have powers to seize cars driven without insurance and it seems a majority of drivers think similar policies towards using hand-held phones would be effective.

“The survey just goes to show the strength of public opinion that using your phone behind the wheel is socially unacceptable and should be treated severely.

“Doubling the fine and points seems to have encouraged some drivers to leave their phones alone.

“Concerted police targeting and campaigns will help to further change attitudes and behaviour but it does take time.

“Phones have become indispensable to the lives of millions which increases the temptation for many drivers to look at the screen rather than the road ahead.

“Our previous campaign and advertisement actually showed that you are twice as likely to crash texting as you drinking.

“Most people wouldn’t think of drink driving and the same should apply to using a phone on the move.

“Our advice is for drivers to convert their glovebox into a phone box so that the phone is out of sight and out of mind.”

Currently, drivers can who are caught using their phone behind the wheel can land a £200 fine and six points.