NEW figures have shown that Wiltshire Police has made significant strides in reducing the number of people using their phones while driving.

The figures revealed by the BBC after a freedom of information request show that the number of people caught using phones at the wheel across the UK has dropped from 177,900 to 93,606 between 2011-12 and 2015-16.

Wiltshire saw one of the largest falls from 2008 cases in 2011-12 down to only 412 in 2015-16.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “More drivers are more aware of the law and the penalties and so are not breaking it.

“However anecdotally, those drivers that do flaunt the law are becoming more cunning about it, avoiding detection.

“We would like to reiterate our safety message to all motorists; never drive and use your mobile phone, even if it is hands-free.

“Studies show that those who use mobile phones are slower at recognising and reacting to hazards, a split-second lapse in concentration could result in a crash.

“The best advice is switch off your phone until you have parked safely.”

Alice Bailey, communications and campaigns advisor for Brake, a national road safety charity, believes this trend may be due to a decrease in the number of road traffic officers.

She said: “It would be wonderful to think this drop is down to people getting the message about the dangers of mobile phone use, but sadly we don’t think this is the case.

“A recent report called mobile use behind the wheel 'an epidemic', with our own studies showing more than half of drivers in some age groups admit they still use a phone while driving.

“As our police forces have faced major budget reductions, road traffic officers have too often been seen as a soft option for cuts.

“They are an essential part of the service and save lives.

“As the government brings in tougher new penalties for this crime, it must make sure it resources our police forces properly so this is a real deterrent.”