Skip to main content

Cellphone safety issue in UK

Major concern is being raised in the UK with regard to future road safety following the publishing of a report commissioned by autoparts specialist Halfords.
March 2, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Major concern is being raised in the UK with regard to future road safety following the publishing of a report commissioned by autoparts specialist 3564 Halfords. The survey says that 41% of drivers questioned have taken a phone call while driving, with some 29% admitting to making at least one call while driving in the past year. This compares with 31% and 22% respectively in a survey undertaken 12 months previously. Those drivers admitting to checking texts rose by 25%, while the proportion checking social networking sites has doubled. Drivers are fined €71.24 (£60) if found to be using cellphones while driving under legislation introduced in February 2007. Meanwhile concern has also been raised worldwide following the publishing of a controversial report in the US. This claims that drivers involved in secondary activities while at the wheel may be safer than those who do not. According to the report, those engaged in secondary activities such as changing radio stations or talking on the cellphone are less likely to fall asleep at the wheel. This report has been widely criticised by other road safety specialists however, who say that its findings regarding cellphones in particular run entirely counter to every other existing piece of research carried out so far.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IRF Geneva highlights making roads safe: a priority for all
    May 15, 2014
    IRF Geneva’s Susanna Zammataro highlights the importance of the Federation’s ongoing commitment to the work of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration, with which she serves as co-chair of the project group dedicated to Safer Roads and Mobility On 10th April, the United Nations General Assembly was due to discuss a new global road safety resolution. For those who might dismiss this as just another piece of paper condemned to sit on government shelves and gather dust, this a reminder of a few facts
  • Young distracted drivers causing crashes
    March 26, 2015
    The US-based AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has carried out research revealing shocking figures on young driver distraction. According to video analysis, 58% of moderate-severe crashes involving teenaged drivers in the US include distraction as a causal factor. This figure is around four times than was previously thought based on police reports.
  • Safer roads for UK?
    February 29, 2012
    A major campaign is commencing in the UK with the laudable aim of reducing road fatality rates.
  • Construction equipment market to grow - CEA report
    February 29, 2012
    The UK’s Construction Equipment Association attracted a large audience for its annual general meeting.