The numbers of Irish motorists using their mobile phones while driving has increased by 3% year on year to 36% in 2012. 

20% of those surveyed also admitted to texting while driving, according to the 2012 ŠKODA Motoring Insights report published today. 

Although the number of motorists using a mobile phone while driving is on the rise, 56% of those surveyed indicated that 4 or more penalty points should be given to offenders. 6% of motorists felt that the maximum of 12 points should be awarded.

The ŠKODA survey revealed that 42% of Irish motorists believe that they are a better driver than their partner. Once again in 2012, men boast the clear majority in driving confidence, with 54% stating they have superior driving skills to their partner compared to just 30% of women. Overall however, over 60% of motorists surveyed successfully passed their driving test on the first attempt.

In spite of their confidence in their own driving, male respondents were more likely to have broken the speed limit, with 10% admitting to driving at speeds above 200km/h. More male participants (66%) than females (46%) also admitted to driving at speeds of 140, 160, 180 & 200km/h.  Interestingly, when respondents were asked what fellow road users irritated them most, boy racers took the top spot with 59%, followed by Sunday drivers (28%) and cyclists (10%).

The survey showed that there is still room for improvement in Irish motorists' car maintenance skills, with almost 1 in 4 respondents admitting that they don't know how to change a tyre. There was a significant gender difference, with the overwhelming majority of men (96%) able to do so, compared to only 59% of women. The 41% of women unable to change a tyre is a 4% increase on the 2011 statistic.  Overall, drivers proved to be far more capable when it comes to vehicle oil checks, with 93% able to locate their engine dip stick and 85% having recently checked their engine oil.

Almost one in ten Irish motorists admitted to damaging another person's vehicle while parking, unchanged from last year's survey result.  While over 30% of these motorists waited for the driver to return or left a note, there was a significant increase year on year in the number that drove off without telling anyone, jumping from 18% in 2011 to 33% in 2012.

With another harsh winter forecast to be on the way, Irish survey respondents upheld their record as safety conscious motorists. With regards to de-frosting the car on cold mornings, 70% of those surveyed used the in-car heater, with only 5% attempting to drive off with a frozen windscreen.

Last winter, 67% of tenacious Irish motorists chose to drive to work regardless of the snow and ice, with a further 21% opting to use public transport. There was also however an increase of 3% in the numbers willing to pull a duvet day, rising to 11% of respondents.

Other findings include

*   Almost 20% of male drivers surveyed would pick up a hitch hiker. In general, Dublin drivers were the least likely to do so at 8%. This figure doubled to 16% for the rest of Leinster, with Munster motorists the most likely in Ireland to pick up hitch hikers, at 20%.

*   Even more motorists reported spending a night in their car in 2012 than in 2011, up 1% to 25%. Once again, men were far more likely to have done so at 37%, compared to only 15% of women.

*   The majority of drivers surveyed (79%) would have no problem buying a new car even if their neighbour had just lost their job.