The number of people texting or making phone calls while driving has doubled this year, despite tougher new penalties.

The Irish Independent reports that a new Road Safety Authority survey has found that one in 12 drivers now text or make calls at the wheel.

That is up from one in 25 in 2013 - which means there are twice as many drivers now offending, compared with the previous 12 months.

Women were more likely than men to break that law.

The RSA has described the findings as "deeply worrying".

Brian Farrell from the RSA says motorists should turn off their phones: