Almost two-thirds (64%) of motorists witnessed at least one driver using their phone illegally during their last hour on the road, according to a survey.

Some 6% of the 2,120 people polled reported seeing between five and seven drivers breaking the law, while only 26% did not see any wrongdoing.

A spokesman for the RAC, which commissioned the research, said: "Thirteen years after the introduction of the current law forbidding use of a hand-held phone at the wheel of a vehicle, this behaviour is far from being stamped out.

"In fact, the results of our research suggests the problem has got worse rather than better.

"Using a hand-held phone should be regarded as being as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving."

In 2014 the use of a mobile phone was a contributing factor in 21 fatal accidents and 84 which were classed as serious, according to Department for Transport (DfT) statistics for Britain.

The Government is currently examining responses to a consultation held earlier this year which proposed introducing tougher punishments for drivers caught using their phone behind the wheel.

Ministers are considering raising penalty points for those caught from three to four, while fines could rise 50% to £150.

Drivers can be banned from the road if they receive 12 points within three years.