MORE WOMEN than men admit to using a hand-held phone while driving, according to an AA survey of motorists.
Of 5,300 drivers questioned, 6.6 per cent of women and 5.6 per cent of men admitted to using hand-held phones on a daily basis, while driving.
A further 17.5 per cent of women and 15.9 per cent of men admitted that it was "somewhat common" for them to do so.
Overall 6 per cent of drivers admit to using hand-held phones on a daily basis while driving, while 16.4 per cent do so on a somewhat common basis.
"We are a nation of phone-junkies, male and female, and we take it on to the roads," according to Conor Faughnan of the AA.
He said that "80 per cent of drivers reported that they saw others on the phone every day".
Mr Faughnan added: "We all know that we shouldn't do it. It's a very silly way to earn penalty points but we just can't seem to shake the habit."
He said that "using the phone while driving is dangerous and not just because a hand is off the wheel.
"Talking on the phone takes your concentration off the driving situation" and "it makes your reaction times much slower".
Fewer Dubliners admitted to using the phone than motorists from other regions, with 5 per cent of the capital's residents acknowledging daily use and 14.5 per cent admitting "somewhat common use".
The west scored as the "most talkative" drivers on a hand-held phone with 6 per cent doing so daily while driving and 16.2 per cent admitting to doing so on a "somewhat common" basis.
Some 6.4 per cent of Cork residents admitted to using a hand-held mobile on a daily basis and 16.2 per cent to a "somewhat common" use of this practice.
Motorists were asked "how often do you personally engage in using a hand-held phone while driving" with the option of five replies from very common/daily to very rare/never.