Phone use while driving on the rise

The number of motorists using their phones while driving increases, a Springfield road worker has revealed the situation is significantly worse in rural areas.

Results of a RACQ survey recently revealed 49 per cent of drivers aged 16-24 admitted to using their mobiles when driving with calling, selfies and social media being the most common uses.

But Springfield Lakes road worker Tim Forward says young drivers aren't the worst and talking outweighs other types of use.

In just six months working as a stop and go sign worker around Beaudesert and Ipswich, Mr Forward was nearly hit at least four times by distracted drivers.

If the drivers are made to stop, you'd see them jump on their phone pretty much straight away

He said the number of drivers talking on their phones was alarming and a road worker could be killed.

"I'd say at least 75 per cent would be talking on their phone when driving through road works," he said. "If the drivers are made to stop, you'd see them jump on their phone pretty much straight away."

Mr Forward said drivers over the age of 40 were the worst for talking on their phones. He said drivers who use their mobile when driving were endangering lives.

"A large truck came within metres of hitting me," he said.

Drivers aged 20-29 years were the worst for using a handheld mobile phone

"We do everything we can to stay off the roads and not to hold people up for long but we cop a lot of abuse.

"My partner does get quite worried about it." A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said the number of mobile phone infringements issued in the Springfield area from January 1 to 2012 to October 31 2014 had increased from 19 to 66.

Department of Transport and Main Roads statistics revealed drivers aged 20-29 years were the worst for using a handheld mobile phone in the Springfield region with 27 infringements issued between January and October last year.

This was followed by drivers aged 30-39 years with 21 infringements issued. Springfield Police Station officer in charge Sergeant Geoff Noller said there was plenty of evidence Springfield drivers were using phones when driving.

Mr Forward said he would still work in the industry but a greater police presence around road work sites was needed.