Surge in drivers using mobiles behind the wheel
There has been a substantial increase in the number of motorists sending and receiving texts whilst driving, with a rise from 11% to 31% over the course of a year.
During the same timeframe the proportion making telephone calls increased from 8% to 28%, according to the 2010 RAC Report on Motoring.
Almost four in 10 (39%) British motorists admit to being distracted behind the wheel by calls, texts and social media applications on mobile telephones.
The RAC research found that an average car journey takes 23 minutes, and that the odds are the motorist’s mobile phone rings/beeps at least once during this time.
Young drivers, from 17 to 24, are most likely to check their mobile should it be activated during a car journey.
Forty-six percent of drivers state they do not consider using their mobile whilst driving to be a distraction, and 47% feel the same way about texting.
RAC Motoring Strategist Adrian Tink has described the findings as extremely concerning, and added that many drivers are unaware that it is illegal to use a mobile phone in a lay-by, traffic jam, traffic lights or at the side of the road, with the engine running.
The RAC advocates setting phones to silent or switching them off altogether whilst driving and to pull over and turn off the engine if it must be used.
The findings follow research by Chubb that revealed that more than half of US motorists had used a mobile whilst driving, yet 90% of them supported a ban on the practice.
Category: Insurance News
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