The Head of Roads Policing in Clare is encouraging motorists to lock their phones in the glove box this Bank Holiday Weekend to avoid a serious incident.

It comes as new Road Safety Authority data has revealed 9% of motorists were observed using a mobile device last year which was up 6% on on 2022.

Drivers of light goods vehicles had the highest mobile device usage rate at 13% while rates for drivers of other vehicle types ranged between 6% and 8%.

Roads Policing Superintendent of the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division Eddie Golden says while drivers taking calls has historically been a problem, it’s now common to see people checking social media while driving.

You can listen to the full interview here: