The number of people fined for using mobile phones while driving in Kent has plummeted by 95% over five years.

Figures released by the government show more than 4,000 motorists received penalties for using phones at the wheel in the county five years ago - compared to just over 200 last year.

Motoring group RAC says fines have "fallen off a cliff", highlighting the scale of the handheld mobile phone epidemic "that has been allowed to sweep across the country largely unchallenged".

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Kent Police handed out 4,213 for the offence in 2011, dropping to 2,579 in 2012, 1,068 in 2013, 202 in 2014 and 219 last year.

But the force says motorists caught using mobile phones are also dealt with in other ways, including being offered the opportunity to take a driver awareness course.

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams says: "The simple truth is the problem of illegal handheld phone use at the wheel is undeniably getting worse, with fewer and fewer people being caught.

"RAC research released in September showed that the number of motorists that think it is acceptable to make a quick call doubled from 7% in 2014 to 14% in 2016, while a fifth now believe it is safe to check social media on their phone while stopped in traffic.

"Attitudes are clearly relaxing as a result of drivers no longer fearing punishment."

The government has pledged to impose tougher penalties from 2017, but the RAC says it will not be enough to change attitudes.

Mr Williams adds: "Law-abiding motorists who regularly see others using a handheld phone at the wheel, putting lives at risk, want to know that the law is being enforced.

"With a 27% decline in full-time roads policing officers since 2010 and little chance of an increase in numbers in the near future, we need to see all police forces giving greater priority to the enforcement of this offence."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "The reduction in fixed penalty tickets is due to a number of factors.

"Our principal aim, and one that is in line with guidance from the National Police Chief’s Council, is to make our roads safer by improving driver behaviour.

"This is done in many cases by offering drivers an opportunity to attend a driver awareness course to make them a better, safer driver, rather than simply issuing a fine.

"It is important that motorists take their personal responsibility extremely seriously and do not commit offences such as this, which clearly put all road users at an increased danger."

Across England and Wales, 123,100 fines were given out to drivers using their phones, dropping to just 16,900 last year - an 86% fall over five years.