Skip to main content

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

Related Content

  • European Transport Safety Commission makes call for traffic safety boost
    July 10, 2015
    In 2013, 7,600 people died in road traffic while cycling or walking in European Union (EU) countries – the equivalent of a commercial airliner full of passengers being lost every week Because of this risk of death, the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) wants vehicle manufacturers and local authorities to pay special attention to improving safety for cyclists, walkers and pedestrians. In a new report, the ETSC said the numbers being killed are falling more slowly than those for vehicle occupants. Over
  • The risk of drugged driving on Europe’s roads
    February 14, 2018
    Drivers under the influence of drugs present a major hazard to road safety, according to a new report. This publication is being highlighted by the Pan-European police agency, TISPOL, in a bid to improve road safety and cut casualties. The risk from driving under the influence of psychoactive drugs results in road fatalities and injuries from crashes right across Europe, according to the report. The problem related to both legal prescription medication, as well as illegal drugs. Both classifications can be
  • UK roads get Acusensus phone-detection units
    July 25, 2023
    Australian road safety company Acusensu says that it has taken delivery of the first of three trailer units to be positioned stationary along selected highways in England.
  • US pedestrian deaths fall but still high
    November 26, 2024
    According to analysis from the Governors Highway Safety Association - GHSA – annual US pedestrian traffic deaths fell for first time since the pandemic, but are still above the pre-pandemic level.