Phone use at the wheel not smart

Research carried out for the UK driver’s association the RAC shows that even tougher new penalties are failing to dissuade those at the wheel from using phones. The research has shown that 60% of drivers believe being the cause of a crash would make them stop using phones while driving. According to the RAC, too many drivers remain unaware of the dangers of cell phone use while behind the wheel. And 86% of drivers admitting phone use at the wheel said they would stop doing so.
July 13, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Research carried out for the UK driver’s association the 3443 RAC shows that even tougher new penalties are failing to dissuade those at the wheel from using phones. The research has shown that 60% of drivers believe being the cause of a crash would make them stop using phones while driving. According to the RAC, too many drivers remain unaware of the dangers of cell phone use while behind the wheel. And 86% of drivers admitting phone use at the wheel said they would stop doing so. Of note is that a high percentage of drivers still feel it is acceptable to use a phone while sitting in traffic. However this is also illegal.

The study revealed that being responsible for causing crash while using a handheld phone would make 60% of drivers from doing so again. It also showed that 55% of drivers would stop using a cellphone at the wheel after being stopped by a police officer. Meanwhile the threat of points and a fine would make 54% of drivers stop using a phone at the wheel and causing a near-miss while using a handheld phone would stop 53% of drivers from doing so again.

For more information on companies in this article

RAC

Related Content

  • Road surface quality is vital to safety and policing - TISPOL 2015 conference
    January 18, 2016
    The state of Europe’s road surfaces “is absolutely vital” if TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, is going to achieve its target of halving road deaths across the continent by 2020 says AA president Edmund King Speaking at the 2015 TISPOL annual conference in Manchester, King warned that the deteriorating state of Europe’s road pavements has become “a serious problem” and that the number of potholes is now an important road safety issue for the enforcement community.
    Read More
  • Driver distraction issues
    March 30, 2022
    A new report highlights driver distraction issues.
    Read More
  • Road hazards for winter driving
    March 28, 2018
    With the Northern Hemisphere in winter, it is no surprise that many of the countries in the north are now experiencing cold conditions that can make driving challenging. Driving on roads covered in ice or snow can present serious dangers, particularly for the unwary or for those inexperienced with poor conditions. Too many drivers are unaware that ABS systems can be ineffective in snowy or icy conditions. Old-fashioned driving techniques such as cadence braking are not always taught these days, but are im
    Read More
  • Survey reveals inattention as colossal car crash cause
    July 8, 2014
    A new survey of car crashes cites inattention as the leading cause. The study was carried out by Allianz Global Assistance and the Allianz technical centre and focussed on driver behaviour. The report revealed that around one third of car accidents are due to inattention, with 60% of drivers admitting that using mobile phones while driving is the leading reason for inattention. Meanwhile a further 40% of drivers admitted they talk on the phone while behind the wheel. Even more worryingly, 30% of drivers adm
    Read More

Highlighted Content